PHUKET (Manager Daily)- Forty-nine members of an on ground rescue team from Japan on Wednesday afternoon left Thailand after completing their search and rescue missions in 2 southern provinces struck by gigantic ocean waves on December 26.
But 11 medical doctors, along with 1 helicopter, stay on to help victims of the killer waves.
A brief farewell ceremony was organized at Phuket City Hall with the participation of Third Naval Area Commander, Vice-Admiral Dhana Bunnag, and several members of Phuket Provincial Administration.
Team Leader Toshimisu Ichigure said the group of 60 members of rescue specialists and medical doctors sent by the government of Japan arrived on December 30 along with 1 supporting helicopter.
The rescuers were working in Phi Phi Island, and Ban Bang Niang of Pang Nga’s Takua Pa district, where a large score of dead bodies had been recovered.
Phi Phi, Ban Bang Nieng, and Takua Pa’s Khoa Lak beaches, are the worst scenes of disaster after walls of water ravaged tourist resorts, and fishing villages along Thailand’s Andaman coast.
Mr. Ichigure said it was a hard work as the areas are so much devastated by the tsunami-type waves. The operations were fulfilled only with good cooperation from local authorities, he said.
All the 11 medical personnel attached to the team will continue to work in Takua Pa to help victims in the area.