Hundreds of volunteers assisted intervention teams on Sunday evening in building protective dikes in critical areas in Praid, amid the risk of collapse of the old mine’s ceiling, following the flooding of the salt mine by waters from the Corund stream.
President of the Harghita County Council Bíró Barna-Botond told AGERPRES on Monday that volunteers came not only from Praid but also from other localities such as Corund, Lupeni, Odorheiu Secuiesc, and even from Mures County. Volunteer emergency services from several communes and Red Cross volunteers also participated, helping to fill 12,000 sandbags used to build several protective dikes.
In addition, intervention teams installed mobile dikes to protect buildings and infrastructure.
Bíró Barna-Botond pointed out that the situation on the ground „has worsened slightly,” not because new collapses appeared in the ceiling of the old mine, but because the existing ones have slightly expanded.
The area was monitored throughout the night, and the perimeter was guarded by police and gendarme teams.
On Sunday, the decision was made to evacuate 45 homes located in the area that could be affected in the event of a total collapse of the mine ceiling in the affected section of the Corund stream, as authorities said that they had considered „the worst-case scenario.”The source mentioned that out of a total of 50 households, only 15 are inhabited, and from these, 27 people self-evacuated to stay with relatives.
Minister of Economy Bogdan Ivan, who was present in Praid on Sunday evening, announced that specialists would arrive on-site to monitor the situation using underwater drones, and support from international experts has also been requested.
Furthermore, work to divert the course of the Corund stream is expected to begin during the day.
