Myanmar is reeling after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, pushing the confirmed death toll to over 1,000 on Saturday as rescuers continued pulling victims from collapsed buildings.
Myanmar’s military-led government reported 1,002 confirmed fatalities, with 2,376 injured and 30 still missing, noting the numbers could increase further as rescue operations expand.
The quake hit midday Friday, severely impacting infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings, and causing a dam to burst. A powerful 6.4 magnitude aftershock exacerbated the damage.
Rescue teams struggled amid the country’s ongoing civil conflict, complicating relief efforts and potentially elevating the disaster’s death toll. Myanmar’s government signaled openness to international aid to address the mounting humanitarian crisis.
Thailand Reports Casualties
Neighboring Thailand reported significant impacts, with six deaths, 26 injuries, and 47 missing near a collapsed construction site in Bangkok. Rescue operations are ongoing as hopes fade for those trapped beneath the rubble.
International Aid Begins Arriving
China, Russia, India, Malaysia, and South Korea, along with the United Nations, have pledged humanitarian support, including rescue teams, medical supplies, and financial aid, to help Myanmar cope with the unprecedented disaster.
Myanmar, located on the active Sagaing Fault, frequently experiences seismic activity. Experts warned of the heightened vulnerability due to the region’s largely unreinforced buildings.
Aid organizations stress the urgent humanitarian needs, emphasizing the earthquake’s catastrophic impact combined with Myanmar’s complex civil war conditions, making relief efforts particularly challenging.