Aid for the inhabitants of Praid
Romanian authorities are trying to support the residence of Praid, a resort affected by the massive floods
Leyla Cheamil, 02.06.2025, 13:50
Recent floods caused by heavy rainfall have damaged the structure of the Praid salt mine in Harghita County (center), one of Romania’s most visited tourist destinations. With a history dating back to Roman times and representing one of the largest rock salt deposits in Europe, the Praid salt reserves are strategic for Romania’s economy, contributing to the growing annual profit of the state-owned company, which exports more and more to European countries. Now, the situation is serious, and the calamity is affecting the entire population of the area, which depends on the salt mine. Intervention teams, together with police, gendarmes, and volunteers have intervened in the area by installing protective panels and placing sandbags, in order to reduce the pressure of water accumulations and limit their possible effects on nearby buildings and infrastructure. The authorities have made a risk assessment, and, in order to protect the population, the decision of the Harghita County Emergency Committee was to extend the evacuation perimeter, as announced by the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations. Thus, dozens of households – homes and guesthouses – located in the vicinity of the salt mine have been evacuated. The measure was designed to prevent any risk generated by the possible collapse of the floor affected by the massive water infiltration.
The Economy and Environment ministries have decided to establish an emergency investment estimated at €60 million to resolve the underlying situation at the Praid Mine, the Minister of Economy, Digitization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Bogdan Ivan has announed. The solutions that can be taken at present aim at allocating money to carry out the works of diverting the Corund River and releasing the seven underground rings of the mine, so that it can continue to be accessible, the Romanian official said.
The Romanian Patriarchate has joined the central and county authorities in their effort to support people who are going through difficult times. Thus, the victims of the disaster in Covasna and Harghita counties will receive financial support worth 100,000 lei. The institution also appealed to the clergy and believers from all its dioceses to provide moral and material support to the victims. For its part, the European Union is ready to help Romania through the Civil Protection Mechanism in managing the situation in Praid and in supporting the communities affected by the floods, but it can only do so if there is a formal request for assistance from the authorities in Bucharest. The statement was made by the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib in a response to Romanian MEP Victor Negrescu, who requested emergency support from the Union. (VP)
