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The death toll from a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar rose to over 1,000 on Saturday, as rescue teams recovered more bodies from the debris of collapsed buildings near the country’s second-largest city.
According to Myanmar’s military-led government, the disaster has so far claimed 1,002 lives, with 2,376 people injured and 30 still missing. Officials warned that the numbers may continue to climb as more information is gathered.
A state of emergency has been declared in six regions and states as authorities struggle to manage the crisis. Myanmar’s ongoing civil war, which has already created a severe humanitarian emergency, is making rescue and relief efforts more difficult and dangerous, raising concerns that the death toll could increase further.
Widespread Devastation in Myanmar and Thailand
The earthquake struck on Friday around midday, with its epicenter close to Mandalay. The tremor caused buildings to collapse across multiple regions, including the destruction of the Ma Soe Yane monastery in Mandalay. Parts of the former royal palace and other structures in the city also suffered damage, as seen in photos and videos circulating on social media.
In the Sagaing region, southwest of Mandalay, a 90-year-old bridge collapsed, while sections of the Mandalay-Yangon highway were also affected. In Myanmar’s capital, Naypyitaw, religious shrines were damaged, with some structures toppling over.
The quake was also felt in neighboring Thailand, where six people died and 26 were injured across three construction sites. One of these sites, a partially built high-rise in Bangkok, collapsed, leaving 47 people missing. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt expressed hope that some survivors might still be trapped in the wreckage, as search operations continued.
Most of Bangkok’s metro and light rail services resumed normal operations by Saturday morning, though two light rail lines remained shut for further safety inspections.
Urgent Need for Aid and International Assistance
Myanmar’s military government is calling for blood donations to help treat the injured, particularly in Mandalay, Sagaing, and Naypyitaw. Hospitals in the affected areas are experiencing high demand for blood supplies.
Several countries have responded with emergency aid. A 37-member Chinese team from Yunnan province arrived in Yangon on Saturday, bringing earthquake detectors, drones, and other essential supplies. Russia sent two planes carrying 120 rescuers and equipment, while India dispatched search and rescue teams, medical personnel, and provisions. Malaysia announced plans to send 50 personnel on Sunday to assist in relief efforts.
The United Nations has allocated an initial $5 million (£3.86 million) to support recovery efforts. UN officials are working to assess the scale of the disaster, including the number of affected individuals, infrastructure damage, and the most urgent humanitarian needs.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric warned that the disaster would worsen an already critical situation in Myanmar, where nearly 20 million people require aid, including over 3.5 million displaced from their homes.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that the United States would assist with the response. However, some experts expressed concerns about the effectiveness of American aid efforts due to deep cuts in foreign assistance under his administration.
