Myanmar earthquake death toll surpasses 1,600 as junta allows foreign rescuers

BANGKOK. Myanmar’s military rulers have granted entry to hundreds of foreign rescue personnel after a devastating earthquake killed more than 1,600 people, marking the deadliest natural disaster to hit the country in years.

Friday’s 7.7-magnitude quake, one of the strongest to strike Myanmar in the past century, severely damaged airports, bridges, and highways. The disaster comes amid an ongoing civil war that has crippled the economy and displaced millions.

According to the BBC Burmese news service, the death toll in Myanmar has climbed to 1,644 as of Saturday. Meanwhile, in neighboring Thailand, where tremors shook buildings and caused the collapse of an under-construction skyscraper in Bangkok, at least nine people were killed.

Desperate Rescue Efforts Amidst Devastation

Survivors in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, were seen digging through rubble with their bare hands on Friday, attempting to rescue those trapped beneath debris, as heavy machinery and government assistance remained scarce.

Rescue operations continued in Bangkok on Saturday, where authorities worked at the site of a collapsed 33-story tower. Reports indicated that 47 individuals, including workers from Myanmar, were either missing or still trapped under the wreckage.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has projected that Myanmar’s death toll could exceed 10,000, with economic losses potentially surpassing the country’s annual output.

Junta Calls for Aid as International Support Arrives

Following an unprecedented appeal for international assistance, Myanmar’s junta chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, traveled to Mandalay, near the quake’s epicenter. The junta stated in state media: “The Chairman of the State Administration Council instructed authorities to expedite search and rescue efforts and address any urgent needs.”

Infrastructure Collapse and Airport Closures

An initial assessment by Myanmar’s opposition National Unity Government (NUG) revealed that the earthquake damaged at least 2,900 buildings, 30 roads, and seven bridges.

“Due to significant damage, Naypyitaw and Mandalay international airports are temporarily closed,” the NUG reported. The control tower at Naypyitaw International Airport collapsed, rendering it inoperable, a source with direct knowledge of the situation told Reuters.

Hospitals in central and northwestern Myanmar struggled to accommodate the influx of injured patients. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that damaged roads were hampering relief efforts. The agency stated that 17 cargo trucks carrying shelter and medical supplies, including blood bags and anesthetics, were set to arrive by Sunday.

International Relief Efforts Underway

A Chinese rescue team landed in Yangon, Myanmar’s commercial capital, and was set to travel inland by bus. Chinese President Xi Jinping personally reached out to Min Aung Hlaing and pledged $13.77 million in aid, including tents, blankets, and emergency medical kits, according to China’s embassy in Myanmar.

Despite strained relations, the United States announced plans to provide assistance, while India dispatched a military aircraft carrying relief supplies to Yangon. India’s government also confirmed that naval ships carrying 40 tonnes of humanitarian aid were en route.

Additionally, Russia, Malaysia, and Singapore have sent planeloads of relief supplies and emergency response teams to Myanmar.

“No Help Coming”

Residents in the most severely affected areas expressed frustration over the lack of immediate assistance.

“The quake hit around lunchtime on Friday, affecting a vast area from the central plains near Mandalay to the hills of Shan in the east,” a Mandalay resident told Reuters via phone.

“Many people are trapped, but there is no help coming simply because there isn’t manpower, equipment, or vehicles,” he added, requesting anonymity due to security concerns.

Rescue Operations in Bangkok

In Bangkok, located 1,000 km (620 miles) from the epicenter, authorities continued efforts to locate construction workers buried under the rubble of the collapsed tower. Specialized teams deployed excavators, drones, and search-and-rescue dogs in the operation.

Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul vowed to use all available resources, stating, “We always have hope. We’re still working around the clock.”

Among the missing was Chanpen Kaewnoi’s mother and younger sister, who were working at the site when the building collapsed.

“I called my sister, but no matter how many times I tried, there was no connection,” said Kaewnoi, 39, after a sleepless night at the disaster site.

“I want to wait for my mother and sister,” she added. “I want to see their faces again.”

Authorities in Bangkok estimated that as many as 5,000 buildings across the city, including residential towers, may have sustained damage. Anek Siripanichgorn, a board member of the Council of Engineers Thailand, said, “We are reviewing hundreds of cases. If we identify any immediate dangers, we will deploy engineers immediately.”

Ongoing Crisis and Future Concerns

As search-and-rescue efforts continue in both Myanmar and Thailand, the scale of destruction remains unclear. Experts warn that the true toll of the earthquake may take weeks to determine, given the widespread infrastructure damage and ongoing civil conflict in Myanmar.

With international assistance now arriving, authorities face the enormous task of restoring essential services and providing aid to thousands of displaced survivors.

With reports from Reuters