March 13, 2013 - 16:03 AMT
Flood forces evacuations near Sochi Olympic site

Around 700 construction workers have been evacuated from a camp near some of the Sochi Olympic facilities after a river burst its banks, officials said Wednesday, March 13, according to RIA Novosti.

Heavy rain caused the river Mzymta to breach a protective dam Wednesday morning, causing water to flow into the camp, home to around 1,500 workers.

“There are no injured people,” a statement from the regional branch of the Emergencies Ministry said. “Repairs to the damaged dam have begun.”

The camp is located in the village of Esto-Sadok, near the Krasnaya Polyana mountain cluster where skiing and other snow events will take place at the Winter Olympics next year.

The Olympics will be held from February 7 through 23.