On Tuesday at 8:27 AM, emergency services were alerted to a large hole in a field in Puru village, Jõhvi municipality, which was identified as a mining tunnel collapse. The location of the collapse was first noticed by a motorcyclist who passed by the area the previous evening. Upon arriving on the scene, rescuers found a collapse site with a diameter of 2.5 meters and cordoned off the area for safety reasons.

The collapse occurred just east of the Jõhvi – Tartu highway, close to a railway crossing. It is believed to be another incident linked to an old mining operation that has previously experienced similar collapses in the region. Such occurrences have been noted in the past, signaling ongoing concerns regarding the stability of abandoned mining sites in Estonia.

In response to this recurrent issue, the State Environmental Investments Centre has implemented standard projects to close off collapsed mining holes, a strategy developed four years ago to improve safety and reduce environmental hazards associated with these abandoned mining areas. This preventive measure is crucial for safeguarding not only the environment but also the safety of local residents and travelers.