Health authorities ordered medical personnel across six southern provinces to be on “high alert” for 24 hours after two earthquakes triggered a tsunami warning on Saturday evening, a top health officer said yesterday.
Sukhum Kanchanaphimai, permanent secretary for public health, said officials in Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun were put on standby after the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation issued a tsunami warning on Saturday night.
The warning was triggered by two earthquakes which struck near the Andaman Islands in India, which is located about 610 kilometres northwest of Phuket.
A 5.0-magnitude earthquake struck at 6.29 pm on Saturday, followed by a 5.2-magnitude earthquake at 6.34 pm.
The epicentre of the quake was reported to be at a depth of around 10km.
Dr Sukhum said all major hospitals in those areas are fully prepared to handle a health emergency.
However, he admitted there were some concerns about smaller hospitals which are located along the coastline if a tsunami indeed struck, but said these healthcare facilities have been ordered to prepare contingency and evacuation plans.
According to Dr Sukhum, the Public Health Ministry will continue working closely with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and other agencies until the tsunami warning was lifted.