Hasakah, Sept. 28 (SANA) Syrian authorities have warned people to stay away from an area around Mount Kawkab in Hasakah, northeastern Syria after unexplained vapors, ground subsidence and cracks were reported at several locations.
Provincial environment and emergency authorities said residents and journalists should not enter the affected area, dig into the ground or handle suspicious objects until safety inspections are completed.
Samar Abniyeh, head of the provincial Environment Directorate, said teams would first conduct a partial survey to check for mines and remnants of war before environmental specialists begin testing the emissions.
The tests are intended to determine the nature of the gases being released.
Abniyeh urged residents not to disturb the soil or objects found at the site, saying the restrictions were intended to protect both the public and teams carrying out the inspection and testing.
Syria’s General Establishment of Geology and Mineral Resources said Saturday that a specialized technical team was investigating the unusual activity at Mount Kawkab. The agency reported vapors rising from several locations, along with ground subsidence and cracks in the ground.
Authorities have not yet identified the source or composition of the emissions.
Mount Kawkab, a geological landmark about 15 kilometers east of Hasakah city, rises to around 516 meters and is roughly one kilometer in diameter.
N.J/ABD
