Authorities prepare to secure August 20 holiday

The security of open-air events marking Saint Stephen's Day, Hungary's national holiday on August 20, will be overseen by a dedicated supervisory body, the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice told MTI on Wednesday.

Should circumstances posing a threat to the public arise, its staff will be authorised to cancel or interrupt any event.

The National Weather Service will issue weather reports in every half an hour, and operate a round-the-clock alert service.

Should the evening fireworks be endangered by a storm, the crowd lining up along the banks of the Danube will be informed in due time through loudspeakers.

Four years ago a violent storm raged through a crowd of over a million people in Budapest preparing to watch the fireworks display, killing five and resulting in hundreds of injuries.

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