A “code red” heat alert has been extended until midnight on Sunday, a state secretary of the interior ministry told a press conference on Friday. Under the measure, all welfare institutions are obliged to open up for the homeless, Attila Fülöp said. Under such extreme weather conditions “all welfare services must focus on saving lives”, he said. He added, however, that only 77% of beds at homeless shelters were occupied, and noted the remaining capacity.
Cecília Müller, the chief medical officer, warned that infants, the elderly, people with cardiovascular or other chronic problems were also at risk in the heat wave. Daytime highs in Hungary are expected to peak in the 37-39°C range in the coming days.