Myanmar Earthquake: Over 1,000 Killed, Rescue Efforts Ongoing

A 7.7-magnitude Myanmar earthquake on Friday caused widespread destruction and killing at least 1,000 people. The powerful earthquake, which struck near Mandalay, also affected Thailand, where many remain trapped under rubble.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), this is Myanmar’s strongest earthquake in over a century, and the death toll could exceed 10,000 based on early projections.

Myanmar’s state broadcaster, MRTV, confirmed the casualties on Saturday, reporting that collapsed roads and power outages were hindering rescue efforts. The situation is further complicated by the ongoing civil war since the 2021 military coup, making disaster response extremely difficult.

A Mandalay resident told CNN that her grandmother was trapped under debris when their home partially collapsed. “It hit very hard and very quickly,” she said, adding that many buildings in the area developed cracks.

Read more: Devastating Earthquake Strikes Tibet, Leaves Dozens Dead

In Thailand, the quake caused severe damage in Bangkok, where at least 10 people died when a high-rise building under construction collapsed. More than 100 people are feared trapped, and Thai authorities have launched a rescue operation.

China and India were among the first to send aid. A Chinese rescue team arrived on Saturday morning, while India dispatched medical teams and emergency supplies.

Geologist Jess Phoenix compared the quake’s energy release to over 300 atomic bombs and warned of weeks of aftershocks. She said, “What would normally be a difficult situation becomes almost impossible,” highlighting Myanmar’s fragile state.

Experts have linked the quake to the collision of the Indian tectonic plate with the Eurasian plate, predicting further seismic activity in the region.

Aid organisations have warned that communication blackouts are hampering relief efforts, leaving survivors in urgent need of medical aid, shelter, and clean water.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set up a crisis management cell to assist Pakistanis affected by the earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand.

The Foreign Office expressed solidarity with the victims, calling it an “unprecedented natural calamity.” Pakistani embassies in Yangon and Bangkok have been instructed to provide emergency support, while a Crisis Management Unit (CMU) in Islamabad is monitoring the situation.