Floods Devastate Salina Praid, Critical situation Unfolds
PRAID – May 18, 2024 – The Romanian salt mine, Salina Praid, faces a dire situation after devastating floods caused the underground dam to fail, putting the galleries at risk of collapse. The economic impact is ample, with officials like Nicușor Dan visiting the site.The disaster has prompted responses from multiple European countries offering assistance, while the local community anxiously awaits solutions for its future.This is a developing story,so expect further updates.
The President of Romania went to Salina Praid on Saturday, where the situation is critical after the underground dam has given up because of the floods, and the salt mine galleries can be collapsed at any time. Hundreds of locals gathered in front of the saline, sprinkling to talk to Nicușor Dan and receive solutions, because, with the closing of the saline, many of them remain without the sources of income.
- 470,000 people visited Salina Praid last year, paying a 60 lei ticket. Local tourism and related business became vital to the area, as per an HotNews reportage made on the spot by journalist Dana Coțovanu.
Hundreds of locals are now gathered in front of the saline, according to the images broadcast by Digi24.
Message of the President of Hungary
The President of Hungary, Tamás Sulyok, says that for the Praid Hungarians it is more than just a settlement, is “part of the soul of the Szekler Land”, expressing its compassion for those affected by the floods that led to the closing of the saline.
“The tragedy does not only affect a place of special natural and historical importance, but also the life of numerous families. Praid is for us, the Hungarians, more than just a settlement. It is part of the soul of the Szekler land, a place that preserves our past and our hopes, where nature now puts the man,” Houses “has unexpectedly and brutally penetrated the uncertainty”.
Tamás Sulyok also wrote that it is important that in difficult times the power of the nation, the unity and solidarity of the community should be manifested. The president of Hungary comes to Romania next week to participate in the pilgrimage from Şumuleu-Ciuc and will visit the Praid commune.
More European countries will send large pumps but Then we will have another problem, says director Salrom.
“The European Salt Manufacturers Association has shown its solidarity and all the countries that have salt producers-they will send large pumps to help us extract water from the ground and, more than that, we are looking for solutions because we will encounter a problem later: where will we go?”, Dobrea said.
Can Salina Praid be saved? What the Minister of Economy says, who arrived in the area.
The Minister of Economy, Bogdan Ivan, who is on Saturday in Praid, says that the saline situation is complicated, and at a first evaluation it takes 130 million lei and about four months to completely deviate the course of the Corund stream, which flooded the saline.
Asked if Salina could be saved, she said that, from the discussions with the specialists, the chances are good.
“I am not a specialist in this topic, but I trust that both with Mr. Dobrea (director Salrom – no) and with the other colleagues with whom we were, now, on the spot, with the experts who will come on June 3 and who will use the most advanced systems in the world on everything that means the salt mining segment, we will be able to have a time. The chances are some good, from discussions, which I had with my colleagues, “said the Minister of Economy.
Dozens of locals gathered in front of the saline, waiting for the authorities, who ask for solutions, according to the images broadcast by Digi24.
Nicușor Dan has arrived at Praid and will hold a press conference
Nicușor Dan arrived at Salina Praid, where the local authorities present his situation. Around 13.30, he is about to hold a press conference.
Nicușor Dan will then go to Băcel in Covasna, seriously affected by floods.
“On this occasion, together with the mayor of Chichiș commune, we will have a meeting to ask for support to restore the dams from the Marcușului and Bacel, concrete.
On the spot is the Minister of Economy, Bogdan Ivan, and the Minister of Finance, Tánczos Barna.
The Minister of Economy said that solutions are looking for the reopening of saline from the locality, the workers there will be paid, and compensations and hotels that have suffered losses will be granted.
He said that the situation is complicated, and at a first evaluation it takes 130 million lei and about four months to completely deviate the course of the Corund stream, which flooded the saline.
The prefect of Harghita County, Pets Sándor, says that “it is a danger of death” to intervene there now.
“The flow has not decreased yet, so that we can enter the affected area. It is still a danger of death to intervene with machines there. Last year we proposed intervention works. They will have to start. The building permit was given as a emergency,” said the prefect, quoted by Digi24.
The Minister of Economy, Bogdan Ivan, arrived at Salina Praid.
“It is a complicated situation. Unfortunately, the area affected in the saline is very large. It is estimated that 130 million lei are needed to deviate the stream course and to take the water from the ground. And after we remove the water to start strengthening the walls of the saline, it endangers the lives of the workers, ”said Bogdan Ivan.
Nicușor Dan is expected at Salina Praid after 11.00. The visit takes place at the invitation of the president of the UDMR, Kelemen Hunor, who wrote on Facebook that he called in the flooded areas both on the president and the interim prime minister Cătălin Predoiu.
The situation at Salina Praid is critical, due to the floods that have seriously affected both the tourist area and the mining sector. The underground dam, built by Salrom employees, gave up on Thursday morning, following the torrential rains of the last days, the water reaching the salt stocks.
“The Teleggy mining sector can no longer be saved by the water penetration. The underground salt stocks have been compromised, including equipment and equipment that can no longer be recovered,” said Salrom, in a press release.
The mayor of Praid commune, Nyágrus László, described the situation as dramatic, especially since the local economy depends largely on the tourism related to the salt mine. “The situation risks seriously affecting the local economy. Hundreds of jobs are in danger and, if we discuss the part of tourism, dependent on the salt mine, it may face a possible collapse,” he warned, in a statement for Agerpres.
The mayor stressed that the authorities must rethink the entire tourist strategy and seek damage solutions. “It’s dramatic for us. Let’s see how we can get out of this situation,” he added.
In turn, the locals looked at the powerless disaster, after they did damages. Now accuse the authorities, in front of Salrom who is responsible for operation, of not taking enough measures, although the problems were known. He asks, at the same time, how the future – the one of the area and theirs look.
The next seed is to reach Salina Praid and The President of Hungary, Tamas Sulyok to inspect the situation and deliver help through the Hungarian ecumenical aid organization.
