The seismic risk persists in Moldova, but the authorities do almost nothing to ensure prompt intervention, especially outside Chisinau, in case of a powerful earthquake. The population is also not sufficiently instructed how to act, said experts of the Black See Earthquake Safety Network – ESNET Project, quoted by IPN.

In a news conference held to mark the competition of the project, head of the Experimental Seismology Center of the Chisinau Institute of Geology and Seismology Ion Ilies said that the end of 2013 and the start of 2014 turned out to be very active from seismic viewpoint. In the first three months of this year, there were recorded 60 earthquakes, two times more on the whole last year. Eight quakes measured more than 4 on the Richter scale. In the Vrancea region, the plate tectonics intensified and the accumulation of tension can lead to a more powerful earthquake.

Vasile Alcaz, director of the Institute of Geology and Seismology, said the project ensured experience exchange between Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey, where quakes occur often. Stefan Florin Balan, senior researcher of the National Institute for Earth Physics of Romania, said they reached a consensus about the interpretation of data collected by researchers. They also discussed post-seismic intervention measures.

Vitalie Mutaf, deputy division head at the Civil Protection and Emergencies Service, said there was produced a guidebook with advice for the population what to do during and after quakes, which will be distributed to all the country’s districts. In southern Moldova, which is the most active region from seismic viewpoint, the people were prepared psychologically and were told how to fix the furniture in order to reduce the risk of being injured in quakes. Local specialists were informed how to intervene after earthquakes so as to maximally reduce the losses. Within the project, emergencies divisions were outfitted with devices informing rescuers about a coming seismic wave about 30-40 seconds before it reaches Moldova.

The Black See Earthquake Safety Network – ESNET Project was financed through the EU-funded Black Sea Basin Joint Operational Program that forms part of the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument. The project was implemented in 2007-2013.