Myanmar’s military government announced Saturday that the death toll from a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake has risen to 1,644, with the number of injured now at 3,408. The powerful quake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, toppling buildings, collapsing bridges, and even causing a dam to burst.
Rescue efforts continue, but with transportation infrastructure severely damaged and Myanmar already engulfed in a civil war, relief teams face immense challenges. Airports in Mandalay and the capital, Naypyidaw, were left unusable, making it difficult for international aid to reach affected areas. Officials warn that the death toll may continue to rise as search teams comb through the rubble.
The earthquake’s impact extended beyond Myanmar’s borders, reaching neighboring Thailand. In Bangkok, a high-rise building under construction collapsed, killing at least 10 people, with 78 still missing. Families are holding out hope for survivors, though rescue workers fear time is running out.
Myanmar’s military government, facing both a natural disaster and a humanitarian crisis from its ongoing conflict, has said it is willing to accept international aid. However, given the nation’s history of rejecting outside assistance, skepticism remains over whether critical aid will reach those who need it most.
Scottish tourist Fraser Morton said the earthquake brought “screaming and a lot of panic.”
“I just started walking calmly at first but then the building started really moving, yeah, a lot of screaming, a lot of panic, people running the wrong way down the escalators, lots of banging and crashing inside the mall,” Morton said, adding, “I got outside and then looked up at the building and the whole building was moving, dust and debris, it was pretty intense. Lots of chaos.”
Leaders of international agencies said they are working on relief efforts to support the region.
