The ruling junta in Myanmar has reported a tragic increase in the death toll from a major earthquake, which now stands at 1,644, with 3,408 individuals injured. The tremors, which originated from a shallow 7.7-magnitude quake, were followed shortly by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock. According to a statement released by the junta’s information team, at least 139 people remain missing as the nation grapples with the aftermath.
Widespread destruction has been reported across Myanmar, with severe damage observed in Mandalay, the nation’s second-largest city, home to over 1.7 million residents. “We need aid,” expressed Thar Aye, a resilient 68-year-old Mandalay resident. “We don’t have enough of anything.” This sentiment echoes throughout the affected regions as communities come together to seek essential assistance.
In addition to the severe toll in Myanmar, around ten fatalities have been confirmed in Bangkok, further complicating the situation. However, with communication lines heavily disrupted, the true extent of the calamity is just beginning to emerge from the isolated military-ruled state, and the number of casualties is expected to grow.
In Mandalay, AFP journalists observed heroic rescuers pulling a woman alive from the rubble of an apartment block, where a Red Cross official estimated that more than 90 individuals could still be trapped. The Sky Villa Condominium, once a proud 12-storey structure, experienced catastrophic structural failure with floors pancaked upon one another.
‘It started shaking’
This earthquake marks the most significant seismic event to impact Myanmar in decades, according to geologists, with tremors strong enough to inflict severe damage on buildings hundreds of kilometers away in Bangkok. In Mandalay, remnants of a centuries-old Buddhist pagoda lay in ruins. “It started shaking, then it got serious,” noted a soldier stationed at a checkpoint just outside the pagoda.
A building collapse in Bangkok has also raised alarms, as the fallout from the earthquake continues to be felt. “The monastery collapsed as well. We lost one monk, and some injuries were reported; we helped transport several individuals to the hospital,” shared one witness.
Access at Mandalay Airport has been severely restricted, as guards turned away journalists, informing them, “It has been closed since yesterday.” The airport’s ceiling had collapsed but, fortunately, no injuries were reported. However, this damage could significantly hinder relief efforts in a country already grappling with a fraught healthcare system and rescue services ravaged by four years of civil war following the military coup in 2021.
Junta’s Rare Plea for Help
The country has declared a state of emergency across the six hardest-hit regions, and at a major hospital in the capital city, Naypyidaw, medical staff were forced to tend to patients outdoors due to infrastructure challenges. In light of this disaster, offers of international assistance are already materializing, with U.S. President Donald Trump vowing support, and an initial flight from India delivering hygiene kits, blankets, food, and other critical supplies to Yangon.
China has also responded, dispatching over 80 rescuers to Myanmar, along with a pledge of 100 million yuan (€12.7 million) in emergency humanitarian aid. Yet, aid agencies warn that Myanmar, already strained under the weight of civil unrest, is ill-prepared to manage a disaster of this magnitude, with approximately 3.5 million displaced individuals at risk of hunger prior to the earthquake.
Bangkok Building Collapse
In light of the situation, thermal imaging drones have been deployed to locate signs of life amidst the debris, and rescue dogs have been brought in to aid the search. The city authorities plan to mobilize over 100 engineers to inspect buildings for safety after receiving upwards of 2,000 damage reports, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive support and recovery efforts in the wake of this multifaceted crisis.
“In the face of adversity, we must come together,” a call echoed by many in this challenging time.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
