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.
As Argentina’s unemployment hits a four-year high, the spotlight has turned to the libertarian administration of President Javier Milei, whose sweeping economic reforms are reshaping the country’s social and labour landscape.
US President Donald Trump said Friday that a major deal with Harvard University could be announced soon.
US President Donald Trump rejected the official assessment from his intelligence community that Iran is not currently building a nuclear weapon.
NATO needs to evolve to meet today’s changing world, Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Friday.
Pakistan has nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for his "diplomatic role and leadership" during the recent crisis with India.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance visited military personnel in Los Angeles on Friday following their deployment to the city earlier this month in response to protests triggered by federal immigration enforcement actions.
As Argentina’s unemployment hits a four-year high, the spotlight has turned to the libertarian administration of President Javier Milei, whose sweeping economic reforms are reshaping the country’s social and labour landscape.
South Korea’s chief trade negotiator, Yeo Han-koo, will travel to the United States from June 22 to 27 for a new round of high-level discussions aimed at resolving escalating trade tensions, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on Saturday.
US President Donald Trump said Friday that a major deal with Harvard University could be announced soon.
US President Donald Trump rejected the official assessment from his intelligence community that Iran is not currently building a nuclear weapon.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
The USS Nimitz is heading to the Middle East amid tensions between Israel and Iran. The U.S. aircraft carrier has a decades-long history in the region, from the 1979 hostage crisis to modern deployments, often serving as a key asset during periods of rising friction with Iran.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance visited military personnel in Los Angeles on Friday following their deployment to the city earlier this month in response to protests triggered by federal immigration enforcement actions.
As Argentina’s unemployment hits a four-year high, the spotlight has turned to the libertarian administration of President Javier Milei, whose sweeping economic reforms are reshaping the country’s social and labour landscape.
South Korea’s chief trade negotiator, Yeo Han-koo, will travel to the United States from June 22 to 27 for a new round of high-level discussions aimed at resolving escalating trade tensions, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on Saturday.
US President Donald Trump said Friday that a major deal with Harvard University could be announced soon.
US President Donald Trump rejected the official assessment from his intelligence community that Iran is not currently building a nuclear weapon.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance visited military personnel in Los Angeles on Friday following their deployment to the city earlier this month in response to protests triggered by federal immigration enforcement actions.
As Argentina’s unemployment hits a four-year high, the spotlight has turned to the libertarian administration of President Javier Milei, whose sweeping economic reforms are reshaping the country’s social and labour landscape.
South Korea’s chief trade negotiator, Yeo Han-koo, will travel to the United States from June 22 to 27 for a new round of high-level discussions aimed at resolving escalating trade tensions, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on Saturday.
US President Donald Trump said Friday that a major deal with Harvard University could be announced soon.
US President Donald Trump rejected the official assessment from his intelligence community that Iran is not currently building a nuclear weapon.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment