Speaking at the incident command centre set up at Wat Kittisangkaram (Wat Kata) to coordinate rescue and cleanup operations, Vice Governor Sattha provided an update on the progress of the rescue efforts in Moo 2, Karon, where the landslide occurred.
So far, the bodies of five people have been recovered, and efforts are being intensified to clear the area and retrieve the bodies of three more victims, Phuket Vice Governor Sattha confirmed.
It is hoped that the area can be fully cleared by this evening, provided there is no additional rainfall, he said.
The landslide buried several houses. Currently, 25 residents have been evacuated to the assistance centre due to safety concerns, Mr Sattha said.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing, involving both machinery and manpower, Mr Sattha explained.
Four key areas have been identified where people were trapped. The first site included three Myanmar nationals, the second had two more Myanmar nationals, the third site involved a Thai national, and the fourth included two individuals from Sakon Nakhon Province and some foreign tourists, Vice Governor Sattha said.
“Since the search began this morning, the bodies of five Burmese nationals have been recovered. Three more individuals, including both Thais and foreign tourists, are still trapped in the area. The rescue teams aim to clear the site entirely by this evening, assuming no further rain complicates the efforts,” he noted.
The Third Naval Area Command sent 50 naval personnel to help people affected by flooding in Karon.
Vice Admiral Suchart Thammapitakwet, the Commander of the Third Naval Area Command, ordered the deployment of 50 naval personnel with equipment and supplies to assist those affected by the floods.
The team began by clearing soil that had slid onto the roads to reopen traffic routes and helped residents move their belongings.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul has urged the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) and the Governor of Phuket to ensure the safety of residents and tourists following a landslide, said an official report by the Phuket branch of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket).
Deputy PM Anutin stressed the importance of accurate reporting and avoiding risky areas, the report said.
Interior Ministry spokeswoman Traisuree Traisaranakul reported that the landslide resulted in eight deaths, and that the search for missing persons was continuing.
The Phuket News has yet to confirm the tally of eight deaths with local sources.
Deputy PM Anutin is closely monitoring the situation, recognizing Phuket’s significance as a major population centre and a key tourist destination, Ms Traisuree said.
Anutin has instructed the DDPM and the Governor of Phuket to coordinate relief efforts efficiently. He emphasised the need to provide clear information about weather conditions and identify tourist areas or locations at risk from storms, floods, and landslides, she continued.
Anutin has advised against travelling to risk areas and stressed the importance of informing people about what to do in case of an emergency.
“Upon learning about the landslide in Phuket, which resulted in deaths and missing persons, the Minister of Interior expressed deep concern for safety, given that Phuket is home to many Thai residents and is a popular destination for tourists worldwide.
“I have therefore urged the DDPM and Phuket officials to not only provide immediate assistance but also to prioritise assessing risk areas and informing both locals and tourists through various channels. There must be strict measures to restrict access to dangerous zones," Ms Traisuree said, presenting a quote from Anutin.
Ms Traisuree also mentioned that assistance is being provided to flood victims in the Chalong and Karon areas, as well as to those affected by the landslide behind Wat Kata.
The Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM Phuket), along with the Phuket District Chief, Karon Municipality, Kusoldharm Foundation, rescue teams and other relevant agencies, have been deployed to assist victims and search for the missing, she noted.
Equipment has been brought in to aid in the efforts, and a relief centre has been established, Ms Traisuree continued.
Initial reports indicate that the houses affected by the landslide were rental properties, mostly occupied by foreign workers, she said.