Hail, Taba Archaeological Village in the Hail Region, some over 90 kilometers southeast of Hail City, is one of the oldest villages in the region. It is adjacent to the famous Salma Mountains and was built on the crater of an extinct volcano dating back to pre-Islamic times.
Taba is affiliated with Al-Shanan Governorate, known for its abundance of farms, date palm trees, ancient wells, and archaeological inscriptions. The village has a population of about 5,000 and is considered one of the most important tourist attractions in Hail, drawing visitors from both inside and outside the Kingdom.
In 1403 Hijri, Taba experienced consecutive and perceptible earthquakes that caused cracks in buildings and deep fissures, exceeding three meters in width, in some areas in the village. To ensure the safety of citizens and in anticipation of new earthquakes and ground collapses, the residents were relocated to safe residential areas near the village. Urgent real estate loans were also provided to the village residents at
that time by the wise leadership.
The Taba is one of the largest dormant volcanoes in the northwest of the Kingdom.
Bariqa Al-Shammari, a Taba resident, recalls his experience during the earthquakes of 1403 Hijri, which left cracks and fissures in the ground. He praised the rapid response of the wise leadership after the incident, through the provision of a residential area for the village’s residents, urgent real estate loans, and financial compensations for the residents and farmers of Taba Village.
Mohammed Al-Sanitan, another resident of the village, said that at the time of the earthquakes in the village, the Saudi government formed a committee composed of relevant authorities to study the situation and take necessary and safe measures for the residents.
The Cabinet approved in its session held last Tuesday to grant additional compensation, amounting to SAR200,000, to the affected residents of the village, or residential land within approved government plans, according to the choice of each affected
individual or their heirs in case of their death.
Several beneficiaries of the additional financial and residential compensation expressed gratitude and appreciation to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their humane gesture and support in providing safe homes.
Source: Saudi Press Agency