Rescue operations are ongoing in Myanmar following a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that has claimed the lives of at least 1,700 people and caused extensive destruction. Thousands more have been injured, with many believed to be trapped beneath rubble.
The country’s military government confirmed that approximately 3,400 individuals sustained injuries, while nearly 300 people remain missing. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has warned that the final death toll could exceed 10,000, based on early projections.
The earthquake struck the central Sagaing region, near Mandalay, a historic city home to over 1.5 million people. Major damage has been reported across the region, including the destruction of buildings, bridges, and temples. The tremor was felt as far as Bangkok and parts of China.
In Bangkok, the quake caused the collapse of a high-rise building under construction, resulting in at least 18 deaths. Eleven people were confirmed dead at the site, while seven others lost their lives elsewhere in the city.
Dozens remain trapped under the debris, and approximately 80 individuals are still unaccounted for. Families of the missing have gathered at the scene, awaiting news.
Myanmar also experienced a series of aftershocks following the initial quake, including a powerful 6.7-magnitude tremor that continued to shake the region over the weekend. The destruction has severely impacted infrastructure, with the collapse of a vital bridge over the Irrawaddy River hindering rescue operations in remote areas.
Foreign aid and international rescue teams have begun arriving in Myanmar after the ruling military junta made a rare appeal for assistance. The earthquake is the most catastrophic natural disaster to strike the country in more than a century.
The devastation comes amid an ongoing civil conflict that has damaged Myanmar’s communication networks and healthcare systems. Millions are already facing shortages of food and shelter due to the unrest.
Marie Manrique, the Myanmar programme coordinator for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), warned that the death toll is expected to rise.
She stated that the scale of the disaster had not been witnessed in over a century and the impact would continue to be felt in the coming weeks.
Rescue teams remain in a race against time to locate survivors and provide aid to those in need. Officials are urging the international community to contribute to the relief efforts as the country grapples with the devastating aftermath of the earthquake.
Also read: Myanmar Earthquake Kills Over 1,000; India Sends Aid Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts
