Explosives Found Near Serbia-Hungary Gas Pipeline, Both Countries on Alert

Serbian security forces discovered explosives of devastating power on April 5, 2026, located near a major gas pipeline that transports Russian natural gas to Hungary and other regions. The discovery triggered a large-scale military and police operation near the border between Serbia and Hungary.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced that security units found two large backpacks containing explosives and detonation fuses. The devices were located just a few hundred meters from the gas pipeline, specifically near the Turkstream pipeline and associated compressor infrastructure.

Security Operation and Search Efforts

The operation began on the morning of April 5, 2026, after Serbian authorities received intelligence regarding a potential threat to critical gas infrastructure. The Subotica Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office authorized the search based on intelligence indicating that both the infrastructure and local residents were at risk.

The security response involved a coordinated effort between military police, criminal investigators, and special units. To secure the area, authorities sealed off roads in the Kanjiža municipality, specifically those leading from Oromhegyes toward Velebit and Ilonafalu (Vojvoda Zimonjić). Some villages were placed under a full cordon, and for several hours, there was no entry or exit permitted from Oromhegyes.

Security forces utilized a variety of assets to conduct a combined ground and aerial sweep of the rural area, including:

• Helicopters, which played a major role in locating the suspicious objects.
• Drones and thermal cameras.
• Off-road vehicles, minibuses, and tracker dogs.
• Counter-sabotage teams.

International Response and Coordination

Following the discovery of the explosive devices, President Vučić held an urgent phone call with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to inform him of the situation. Prime Minister Orbán confirmed the communication and indicated that Hungary had called an emergency defense meeting in response to the event.

The pipeline in question is a critical piece of energy infrastructure, as it supplies a significant portion of the gas requirements for both Serbia and Hungary.