YANBU/AL-AIS: Madinah Gov. Prince Abdul Aziz bin Majed reassured the people affected by a series of tremors during an inspection tour of the shaken zone in Madinah province.
Thousands of people have been evacuated from many villages around Al-Ais town where tremors measuring more than 5 on the Richter scale have been registered since Sunday.
Geologists are concerned that the quakes are a sign that dormant volcanoes in the area may become active. The evacuees have been rehabilitated in Yanbu and Madinah cities. No deaths or injuries have been reported.
Prince Abdul Aziz inspected the preparedness of the Civil Defense and security officials in terms of men and equipment to counter potential dangers. “The government is keen to guarantee the safety and security of both the citizens and expatriates and have prepared shelters,” Prince Abdul Aziz said during a visit to Al-Ais, 240 km northwest of Madinah.
While discussing the situation with the chief of the Al-Ais administrative division Ali Al-Bariakit and others, Prince Abdul Aziz assured that all related government departments were geared to face any emergency. He urged government officials to continue their service to the local people.
“Our sons and brothers in Yanbu governorate (under which Al-Ais comes) are part of the Kingdom’s people who always put their trust in Allah Almighty and the government has been fully prepared with all its potentials, which is the right of every citizen,” the governor said.
The prince promised all care to the affected people while visiting a camp in Al-Faqaeli, 60 km west of Al-Ais. Madinah Mayor Abdul Aziz Al-Hussayen and Civil Defense Director of Madinah Maj. Gen. Saleh Al-Muahwwis accompanied the prince.
The prince said the assistance ordered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, are being distributed to the affected people.
Following a meeting of the Civil Defense emergency committee at the Royal Commission in Yanbu, Prince Abdul Aziz said earthquakes will be taken into account when preparing new construction plans in the industrial city. The meeting, which was presided by the prince, discussed emergency plans to deal with the situation.
The Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) said no emission of volcanic gases has been observed since Wednesday in Harrah Al-Shaqah, the epicenter of the earthquake and the location of extinct volcanoes. It said six minor tremors were recorded at Harrah Al-Shaqah in the 24 hours until 2 p.m. yesterday.
“Our tracking devices did not detect on Wednesday any gas emissions indicating the eruption of lava. However, we are closely observing the extinct volcanoes in the region for any sign of renewed activities,” said Ahmad Al-Attas, acting head of the SGS.
Al-Attas said the devices monitor the mountains and adjacent areas, and send data to the National Center for Earthquake and Volcanoes in Jeddah for analysis every 12 hours. “If signs of volcanic activities are found in the analysis, the concerned authorities will be informed and required steps taken,” he said.
— With input by Yousuf Muhammad
