Burma: Myanmar's military government has allowed hundreds of foreign rescue workers into the country following a devastating earthquake that has claimed over 1,600 lives. The 7.7 magnitude quake, which struck on Friday, is one of the most powerful to hit the country in the past century, leaving behind widespread destruction amid an ongoing civil conflict.
According to BBC Burmese, Myanmar’s ruling military reported that the death toll had risen to 1,644 on Saturday. The earthquake also caused destruction in neighboring Thailand, where at least nine people lost their lives, including workers from Myanmar. A 33-story building under construction in Bangkok collapsed, trapping dozens under the rubble.
In Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, residents were forced to dig through debris with their bare hands, lacking the necessary equipment and with little official assistance. The disaster has severely impacted infrastructure, shutting down major roads, airports, and bridges. Myanmar’s opposition National Unity Government (NUG) reported that nearly 3,000 buildings, 30 roads, and seven bridges were damaged. Airports in Naypyitaw and Mandalay remain closed, with Naypyitaw’s air traffic control tower having collapsed.
Meanwhile, in Bangkok, rescue operations at the collapsed high-rise continued on Saturday, with emergency teams working tirelessly to find 47 missing individuals. Authorities have deployed excavators, drones, and search dogs in an effort to locate survivors.
With fears that the death toll could surpass 10,000, Myanmar’s junta chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, visited Mandalay to oversee relief efforts. The military government has called for international assistance, and aid has begun to arrive from China, India, Russia, Malaysia, and Singapore. China has pledged nearly $14 million in aid, including emergency medical supplies and shelter materials. India has sent military aircraft and ships carrying 40 tons of humanitarian supplies. The United States, despite strained relations with Myanmar’s military, has also offered assistance.
Hospitals in central and northwestern Myanmar are overwhelmed with injured victims, while damaged roads have made it difficult to transport aid to affected regions. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that 17 trucks carrying essential supplies are expected to arrive on Sunday, addressing critical shortages of medical equipment and blood supplies.
In Thailand, authorities are conducting damage assessments across Bangkok, where up to 5,000 buildings may have sustained structural damage. Engineers are working with municipal officials to identify potential hazards.
