YANBU: Madinah Gov. Prince Abdul Aziz bin Majed assured the people of Al-Ais during a tour to the region yesterday that the government would do everything to protect them and their properties against natural calamities.
Prince Abdul Aziz’s first stop was the Al-Faqaali shelter camp, 120 km from Yanbu. The prince was welcomed to the camp by Ibrahim Al-Sultan, governor of Yanbu, and other officials.
The prince met with some evacuees and told them that they would be allowed to return home only after the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) gives assurance there is no danger.
The prince then proceeded to Al-Ais town and inspected the activities of various government agencies in the earthquake-hit area. The governor also inspected the work undertaken by various government departments.
The prince warned people against listening to unfounded reports about calamities in the area. Some local media had erroneously reported a volcano would be erupting in the area soon.
The government departments in the Al-Ais town will start operating from today and all workers living in shelter camps will be returning to their establishments.
A special team is currently checking the safety of houses in Al-Ais. About 400 people requested the authorities to check the conditions of their buildings.
The SGC hoped the situation will soon stabilize in Al-Ais.
Harat Al-Shaqah, an extinct volcano in Al-Ais, was the epicenter of recent tremors in the region. A kilometer-long crack was also detected on its top recently.
The Presidency of Meteorology and Environment Protection (PME) said it also believes that there was no sign of any dangerous development in the area. “PME is currently carrying out an environmental evaluation of Harat Al-Shaqah to check the quality of water and air there,” said Saad Al-Muhlafi, undersecretary at PME. The result of the tests would, however, be available only after two weeks, Al-Muhlafi added.
