In Budapest, the Danube River has receded significantly, exposing stretches of the riverbed beneath the central pillar of Margaret Bridge and near Liberty Bridge, where the so-called Ínség-szikla (Famine Rock) has appeared, signaling low water levels.

Since 2018, the underwater extension of the Margit Island shoal near Margit Bridge has become accessible on foot, a phenomenon occurring more frequently and over larger areas in recent years. This has led to more people walking across from Margaret Island onto the dry riverbed.

Photographer Zsanett Zsebők shared a video on Facebook capturing a Saturday night pop-up party held on the exposed Danube riverbed, sparking a wide range of public reactions. Some view the spontaneous gathering as a unique and cool event, while others consider the drying riverbed a serious environmental setback reshaping summers in Europe, particularly in Hungary.

László Wild, the heritage architect responsible for the recent reconstruction of Margaret Bridge, described the Danube Riverbed along Budapest as being in an "incredible state of disorder." He noted that historical artifacts such as metal rubbish bins from before the Second World War and remains of scaffolding pillars from the 1870s bridge construction have surfaced in the area.

As the dry area expands, concerns about the river's health and the implications for the city's heritage and environment continue to grow.

Sources