Phuket – Thailand: 5 dead from a landslide in a tourist area

At least 7 people have died and several are missing in a landslide that occurred this morning in a residential area of ​​the famous tourist destination of Phuket, as confirmed by Phuket MP Chalermpong Sangdee and other officials of Thailand’s largest island.

The landslide happened in Karon and hit an area where many hotels and tourist accommodations are located.

A landslide in Phuket’s Karon Subdistrict this morning has reportedly resulted in two fatalities, with seven individuals still missing, according to local authorities.

The death toll and the number of missing persons remain subject to change, as some reports suggest that the… pic.twitter.com/gSBbKSkuX3

— Thai Enquirer (@ThaiEnquirer) August 23, 2024

According to the island’s police chief to AFP, a couple of Russian tourists are among the dead, while the identification of the remaining victims is ongoing.

Information from local media reports that two people from Myanmar, who lived and worked in the area, are also dead.

[Update] Chalermpong Sangdee, MP for Phuket from the People’s Party, confirmed that the death toll from the landslide has risen to seven people.

The opposition MP emphasized that this incident should serve as a crucial reminder for relevant agencies to enhance their landslide… pic.twitter.com/48KLvL2lw7

— Thai Enquirer (@ThaiEnquirer) August 23, 2024

Rescuers, police and soldiers are also searching the area for missing people, the exact number of which is not yet known. However, their efforts may be slowed as further torrential rains are forecast for the region.

Thailand is currently experiencing particularly heavy rainfall during the monsoon season, which has caused flooding, mainly in the southern coast and northern part of the country. Already for a month, the floods have caused the death of 5 people and the injury of 32, according to the Ministry of Health.