Subterranean thermal lake discovered in Hungary

Budapest, Hungary (AP) - A huge subterranean thermal lake has been discovered below a Turkish bath in Hungary.

The lake, thought to be one of the biggest in the world was discovered in an underground cave complex, when explorers ventured beneath the baths in the Hungarian capital Budapest.

Divers have spent the last few weeks exploring the depths of the lake.

The government is now considering opening up the lake to the public.

Geologist Szabolcs Leel-Oessy said his team had been working to expand the caves so there was room for more people to explore what he described as a “special” cave.

Hungary was part of the Ottoman Empire in the 17th century and has a legacy of Turkish baths which remain extremely popular with local residents as well as millions of tourists who flood the city.

Officials in Hungary are now planning to apply to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) to have the cave system   declared as a World Heritage Site.

The future of the cave system has even been discussed in the Hungarian courts as ministers seek to give researchers all the time they need to explore the   site before public access is discussed.