YANBU: Civil Defense reiterated its commitment to the earthquake stricken people of Al-Ais, including their return to their homes safely when the area is deemed safe, Al-Watan daily reported yesterday.
“My department would never shirk its responsibility toward the people of Al-Ais,” said Director General of Civil Defense Lt. Gen. Saad Al-Tuwaijeri at a story-writing competition on the theme of safety awareness in Riyadh on Monday.
Al-Tuwaijeri said he hoped the evacuees would return home soon as the tremors registered in the earthquake prone area have remained consistently negligible over the past several days.
The official added that there are 21,000 evacuees currently put up in apartments or hotel rooms in the two cities. “Only eight or 10 families stay at the Al-Ais shelter because they prefer to remain there,” the general said.
Speaking about public safety at the event, Al-Tuwaijeri said 90 percent of deaths in house fires are caused by smoke inhalation.
“While three minutes of breathing thick smoke is enough to kill a man, the arrival of a rescue team at the accident spot after receiving the call from the victims over three minutes is nearly impossible, particularly rushing through crowded roads and narrow lanes,” the director general said.
“On the other hand, the time factor underscores the importance of the need for people adhering to every safety measure at their homes, factories and shopping complexes to keep damages to a minimum at times of accidents.”
In another development, a committee is currently examining the details about the evacuees who are receiving governmental aid and free accommodations. The committee will determine whether those who enjoy the aid are actual residents of Al-Ais and that they have not received aid from more than one center.
