LATEST: (10am – August 25)
The death toll from the landslide has now reached 13, including 9 Burmese, 2 Thais and 2 Russians.
The three latest deaths included a couple who were found buried inside their home in an embrace, clutching their phones and a flashlight, and a bedridden elderly Burmese lady.
The mudslide tore away from the top of the Nakkerd mountain range, starting at an area of car park construction at the Big Buddha complex. The resulting landslide, which happened at 5am on Friday morning, after a night of heavy rainfall, buried houses and luxury villas in the foothills above the Kata township, most notable in Soi Patak 2, More than 50 houses and rental rooms, as well as 4 luxury villas, were completely destroyed.
Recovery efforts have swung into action during Saturday with local departments and volunteer organisations co-ordinating to carefully check for any survivors whilst attending to the urgent needs of up to 20 families who have lost everything.
Any donations can be made through the Living Waters Phuket charity HERE.
Additionally, any bedding – mattresses, pillows, duvets, sheets – towels, clothing, including kid’s clothing, dry or packaged foods, or bottled water, can be left at the 5 Star Marine office at Boat Lagoon Marina in Koh Kaew, Phuket.
Source for the updated information is from Khaosod English and Facebook/PhuketHotNews
PHOTO: Phuket HotNews
LATEST REPORT (3pm) HERE.
UPDATE: Khaosod English is reporting that 7 bodies, in two separate locations, have now been recovered – 6 Burmese and one Thai. Others are still missing as rescuers continue to rummage through the mud and destroyed homes in the hillsides overlooking Karon.
A child and a woman are still missing.
Some 250 households have been affected by either landslides or flooding.
EARLIER: Devastating landslides in Phuket’s Karon and Chalong districts struck in the very early morning today.
It’s understood heavy rain triggered the landslide in the hills above Kata Temple in the very early houses in Karon this morning, August 23. Smaller landslides were also reported in Chalong.
One Burmese person has been confirmed dead among two deaths reported, with 4 others injured. Local officials have also confirmed that a number of Burmese people remain missing.
PHOTOS: Facebook/Phuket Hotnews
Recorded rainfall during the night was 200 millimetres. The continuous rain has caused flooding, drainage issues, flash floods and landslides in many areas of the Chalong and Karon sub-districts. Initially, 250 households have been affected
A rental room in Soi Patak 2, Moo 2, Karon sub-district took the brunt of a major landslide, believed to have housed more Burmese workers.
The Phuket Governor has ordered the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office to attend the incident site to manage and assist local officials and volunteer rescue foundations who have been on the scene since daybreak today.
The Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority has also cut off electricity in the affected areas. The President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation has also deployed forces with disaster machinery.
The Kusoldharm Foundation has also sent disaster machinery and personnel to the site to support and assist the rescue and recovery.
We will keep you updated as information comes in.
Thanks to Phuket Hotnews for additional information and photos.
