Orban said damages must be paid to those who were hit by the toxic red sludge spill, jobs at the alumina plant must be saved, those responsible must be held accountable and potential further risky industrial sites should be identified.

“We need to hold the company responsible for the red sludge spill under state control and its assets under state closure until all of these four tasks are handled,” he told parliament.

He said a state commissioner would be appointed to take over control over MAL Zrt and manage its assets. Orban also said police had detained the CEO of the company.