Dozens evacuated as floodwaters threaten collapse of Romania’s Praid Salt Mine

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.

Copied