Yangon/New Delhi – The death toll from Myanmar’s powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake keeps climbing amid frantic rescue efforts, with the military government reporting Saturday that 1,644 people have been killed, over 3,400 injured, and dozens still missing. The earthquake struck midday Friday near the city of Sagaing, followed by several aftershocks, including a significant 6.4 magnitude tremor, unleashing widespread devastation across Mandalay, Naypyitaw, and surrounding regions. As the crisis deepens in this war-torn nation, the international community has rallied to provide urgent humanitarian aid.
RELATED NEWS : Myanmar earthquake death toll exceeds 1,600 as Thailand rushes to rescue workers
Rescue operations are in full swing, though collapsed infrastructure—airports, bridges, and roads—has severely restricted access to affected areas. In Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, survivors are sifting through rubble with bare hands due to a lack of heavy equipment. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports extensive damage to homes, religious sites, and critical supply lines, with power and communication networks crippled across the region.
Myanmar’s military junta, led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, has issued a rare appeal for international assistance amid sanctions and ongoing civil strife. “We need and want the international community to provide humanitarian aid,” said junta spokesman General Zaw Min Tun. “We will cooperate to ensure the best care for the victims.”
Global Response Intensifies
India acted swiftly, sending nearly 15 tons of relief supplies—tents, blankets, water purifiers, and medicines—via an Indian Air Force aircraft to Yangon on Saturday. A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team also landed in Naypyitaw, set to begin operations in Mandalay by Sunday.
China has pledged 100 million yuan ($13.8 million) in emergency aid, including tents, blankets, and medical kits. An 82-person rescue team departed Beijing, joining responders from Yunnan province, which borders Myanmar. Additionally, 16 members of the Blue Sky Rescue Team from Ruili, Yunnan, arrived in Muse City, northern Myanmar, with 80 tents and 290 blankets. President Xi Jinping extended condolences to Min Aung Hlaing, noting minor injuries and damage in Yunnan, where two people were hurt and 847 homes affected.
Russia has deployed significant resources, with two planes carrying rescue workers landing in Yangon. The Emergencies Ministry’s teams, equipped with endoscopes, acoustic devices, ground-penetrating radars, and thermal imagers, can search rubble up to 4.5 meters (nearly 15 feet) deep. A separate medical team, including specialists in infectious diseases, resuscitation, and traumatology, was sent to treat victims, according to Health Ministry official Alexey Kuznetsov.
Hong Kong dispatched a 51-member search-and-rescue team, including firefighters, ambulance personnel, and two search-and-rescue dogs, along with nine tons (18,000 pounds) of equipment—life detectors, masonry cutting machines, and a satellite tracking antenna system for network connectivity.
South Korea announced a $2 million humanitarian aid package, to be channeled through international organizations, with the Foreign Ministry pledging to monitor the situation for potential additional support.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters confirmed his government will support relief efforts via the International Red Cross Movement, expressing solidarity on X: “Our thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones, and to everyone else affected.”
United States, despite tensions with the junta, has committed aid, with President Donald Trump stating, “It’s terrible what’s happened. We will be helping.” Malaysia and Singapore are also sending personnel and supplies.
The United Nations allocated $5 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund, with relief chief Tom Fletcher emphasizing rapid action. The World Health Organization (WHO) is delivering trauma supplies from its Dubai hub. However, experts warn that Myanmar’s civil war—displacing 3.5 million and leaving 20 million in need—may hinder aid distribution, particularly in opposition-held areas. UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews urged global pressure to ensure equitable access.
Regional Impact
In Thailand, the quake rocked greater Bangkok, claiming 10 lives, including eight in a collapsed 33-story building under construction. Rescue efforts continue amid aftershock fears. The tremor was felt in China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, though casualties outside Myanmar and Thailand remain minimal.
A Nation in Crisis
As aftershocks persist and the death toll rises, Myanmar faces a race against time. “This earthquake could not have come at a worse time,” said Amnesty International’s Joe Freeman. “The people of Myanmar need the world’s support now more than ever.” With nations mobilizing resources and expertise, the focus remains on saving lives in a country already battered by conflict and hardship.
SOURCE : AGENCIES | Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube
