Data released by the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority and cited by Bloomberg revealed that the facility's power output plummeted to under a quarter of its total 2,000-megawatt capacity early on Saturday.

Prime Minister Peter Magyar warned that the entire plant might face a complete shutdown for the first time in its 44-year history by the middle of the week. Severe drought conditions across Central Europe have drastically reduced the river water volume necessary for cooling the nuclear reactors.

Situated south of Budapest, the Paks nuclear power facility accounts for approximately 40 percent of Hungary's total electricity generation.