Phuket deadly landslide leaves officials scrambling for answers (video)

Government officials in Phuket are urgently consulting experts to investigate a mountaintop disaster where 13 people, including several foreign nationals, were tragically killed in recent landslides.

Provincial Governor Sophon Suwannarat announced that the provincial office is reaching out to the permanent secretary of natural resources and environment to enlist expert help in probing the cause of the landslides and preventing future incidents.

The survey will focus on the Nak Kerd mountain range in tambon Karon, the site of last Friday’s calamity. The Phuket landslides claimed the lives of 13 individuals, including two Russians and nine Myanmar nationals. Officials have been liaising with the local Russian Consular Office and the Myanmar Embassy regarding the victims. Additionally, 19 people were injured, with 14 already discharged from hospital.

The disaster was triggered by relentless heavy rain that started last Thursday morning, causing flash floods and landslides that also affected nearby tambons Rawai and Chalong.

Government reports reveal that topsoil and massive boulders slid down the mountain, causing severe damage to local communities and tourist facilities.

Local sources report that a temple and a large Buddha image were situated at the mountain’s peak. An aerial photo posted on a Phuket news Facebook page shows subsidence near the base of the Buddha image, which some speculate may have contributed to the landslides.

Trin Sapmongkol, an official at the Thamon Karon municipal office, noted that the Buddha image required a substantial tract of land for its construction. The project involved clearing away trees, leaving the land bare and vulnerable.

“The residents have feared that a disaster would take place for some time, and it finally happened.”

Trin further explained that plans initially called for a small Buddha image to be constructed 22 years ago. However, as time passed, the project expanded without a clear completion date.

Chalong Loysamut, a resident, is petitioning Deputy Governor Sattha Thongkham and a local MP to investigate the cause of the landslides, reported Bangkok Post.