The death toll from the catastrophic earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday has reached nearly 3,000, as rescue teams race against time to find survivors amid the ruins. The powerful 7.9 magnitude earthquake, one of the strongest to hit Myanmar in a century, struck during the afternoon, wreaking havoc across the civil war-torn Southeast Asian nation. Thousands are feared dead, with the quake causing widespread destruction and affecting neighboring Thailand as well.
According to Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, the official death toll has risen to 2,719, with over 4,500 injured and more than 400 people still missing. Local sources fear that the actual death toll may continue to climb as search and rescue operations unfold. The earthquake, which struck Myanmar’s central and northwest regions, has caused significant damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings, while also impacting parts of Thailand.
Relief efforts have been severely hindered by power outages, fuel shortages, and difficult access to affected areas due to ongoing conflict between Myanmar’s military junta and armed ethnic groups. “There are a lot of security issues to access some areas across the front lines,” said Arnaud de Baecque, the International Committee of the Red Cross’ resident representative in Myanmar. The country’s hospitals are overwhelmed with trauma cases, and many patients are being treated outside due to fears of building collapses.
In the worst-hit city of Mandalay, over 10,000 buildings have been destroyed or severely damaged. Among the casualties, a devastating blow was dealt to the local community when a preschool classroom collapsed, killing 50 children and two teachers. Hundreds of people, including several monks, have perished under the rubble. Witnesses say the situation remains dire, with many people sleeping outdoors to avoid the risk of further collapses, while others continue the grim task of searching for loved ones in the rubble.
Aung Min Naing, a local humanitarian worker in Sagaing, reported that approximately 80% of the buildings in the city have collapsed. Food shortages are becoming a critical issue, with shops closed and no food distribution available in the area. The UN has stated that over 10,000 buildings have been fully or partially destroyed, and large-scale humanitarian assistance is urgently needed. The UN also warned that access to affected regions is difficult due to damaged infrastructure and ongoing security concerns.
Meanwhile, in Bangkok, rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate survivors under the rubble of a collapsed skyscraper, which was still under construction when the earthquake struck. Despite the challenging conditions, signs of life were detected under the rubble, and rescue workers are using sniffer dogs and scanning equipment in a race against time. Officials have confirmed that at least 78 people are still missing, and the confirmed death toll in Thailand stands at 20.
Construction on the unfinished skyscraper, which was scheduled for completion in 2026, was behind schedule and had been flagged for delays. Initial investigations suggest that some of the steel used in the building’s construction was substandard. The Thai government has launched an investigation into the causes of the collapse, with authorities focusing on the quality of the building materials.
As the region continues to cope with the aftermath of this disaster, countries such as India, China, Russia, and the United States have sent teams to assist in search and rescue operations in Myanmar. The European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea have pledged millions of dollars in humanitarian aid.
In the face of ongoing devastation, Myanmar has entered a week-long mourning period, with a nationwide minute of silence observed on Tuesday. Despite the severity of the crisis, the international community is rallying to provide aid, but the challenges remain immense as the affected nations continue to grapple with both natural and man-made disasters.
