Uzbekistan’s foreign exchange transactions surge 24% in first half of 2025
The total value of foreign currency transactions between banks and individuals in Uzbekistan reached 14.5 billion U.S. dollars in the first six months...
Romanian authorities have evacuated dozens of residents near the Praid Salt Mine amid fears of a collapse triggered by heavy flooding, as emergency teams scramble to contain the damage and safeguard one of the country’s top tourist sites.
The Praid Salt Mine in Harghita county, one of Romania’s most visited tourist attractions, is facing the risk of partial collapse after recent flooding caused significant water infiltration into the aging mine structure. According to a technical report commissioned by the Ministry of Economy, the water has severely weakened the mine’s old ceiling, prompting urgent safety measures.
Authorities have evacuated 45 homes and guesthouses located near the mine. Of these, only 15 were inhabited at the time, with 27 residents choosing to relocate to relatives’ homes, the Harghita Prefecture reported via Agerpres.
Emergency intervention teams—including fire and rescue crews from the Harghita Emergency Inspectorate (ISU), police, gendarmes, water management experts, and mine staff—are working around the clock to stabilize the area. So far, 300 meters of protective barriers have been installed, with another 1,500 meters in preparation. Sandbags are also being placed at key risk points to control water flow and reduce pressure on the mine.
President Nicușor Dan visited the affected zone on Saturday, May 31, and described the situation as both "serious and preventable." He announced plans to ask the prime minister to deploy the government’s Control Body to investigate who may be responsible for the crisis.
Emergency and long-term response
In the immediate term, Salrom—the state-owned company that manages the mine—is expected to install a bypass pipe within three weeks to divert infiltrating water away from the structure. Following that, high-powered pumps may be used to remove water from the mine and discharge it into a nearby river, under expert-approved salinity limits.
A comprehensive technical study will also be launched to determine whether the entire salt mine can be salvaged. Experts will assess whether only the upper, tourist-accessible sections are at risk, or if the deeper, active mining levels are also endangered.
Currently, around 130 employees are without work due to the shutdown. The government is developing compensation packages for them, while also evaluating support measures for local businesses that relied on the mine’s tourism traffic. In 2024 alone, the Praid Salt Mine attracted approximately 470,000 visitors.
Preventing future disasters
Two long-term engineering solutions are under consideration to prevent a recurrence of such incidents: building a stormwater catchment basin or redirecting the Corund stream, which is believed to have contributed to the flooding. A feasibility study is being launched to determine the most cost-effective and sustainable option.
President Dan criticized past inaction, stating that “these measures should have been implemented long before the situation reached this critical stage.”
The Praid Salt Mine is not only an economic and tourist hub, but also a symbol of local heritage in Romania. Authorities say preserving it is a national priority.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will send an upgraded ‘version 3.0’ free-trade agreement to their heads of government for approval in October, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday after regional talks in Kuala Lumpur.
Germany's export slump since 2021 is largely driven by deep-rooted competitiveness issues, the Bundesbank warned in its latest report, calling for urgent structural reforms.
Israeli researchers have unveiled an artificial intelligence tool that can determine a person’s true biological age from tiny DNA samples with remarkable precision.
Two Harry Potter actresses, Emma Watson and Zoe Wanamaker, have each received a six-month driving ban after separate speeding offences, both sentenced on the same day at a Buckinghamshire court.
Nepal has banned access to the Telegram messaging app, citing its role in a growing number of online fraud and money laundering cases across the country.
North Korea has stopped foreign tourists from visiting its new Wonsan-Kalma resort just weeks after it welcomed the first Russian visitors.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Coca-Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in the U.S., though the company has not confirmed the claim.
The U.S. ambassador to Türkiye says Israel and Syria have reached a ceasefire deal supported by Türkiye, Jordan, and regional actors after cross-border strikes this week heightened tensions.
The Trump administration has completed a controversial prisoner swap with Venezuela, returning around 250 deported Venezuelans in exchange for 10 American detainees.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment