A 7.7-magnitude earthquake devastated Mandalay, Myanmar, killing over 1,600 people and injuring thousands. Aftershocks continue to shake the city, causing panic among survivors. In neighboring Thailand, at least 18 people have died, and rescuers are searching for those trapped under a collapsed high-rise in Bangkok.
Rescue Operations in Mandalay
Residents and volunteers are desperately digging through collapsed buildings in Mandalay, searching for survivors. Many are working with bare hands, lacking proper rescue equipment. The city’s infrastructure is heavily damaged, with bridges down, roads buckled, and entire buildings reduced to rubble.
One local rescuer described the dangerous conditions, saying that unstable structures make it difficult to reach trapped victims. Without heavy machinery, many survivors remain unreachable. Despite the challenges, teams continue their efforts, pulling some people out alive.
Myanmar Faces Worsening Crisis
The ruling junta government reported over 3,400 injuries and at least 139 missing persons. However, communication issues make it hard to determine the true scale of destruction. Experts predict the death toll could surpass 10,000, and economic losses may exceed Myanmar’s annual output.
Authorities have called on military and civilian hospitals to provide medical aid, but the country lacks the resources to handle a disaster of this scale. The United Nations warns that Myanmar’s medical supplies are critically low, while damaged hospitals and roads hinder relief efforts.
In some of the hardest-hit areas, residents report no government aid. The entire town of Sagaing, near the epicenter, has been destroyed. A local survivor said, “We have no rescue teams, no electricity, and no drinking water.”
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International Aid and Ceasefire Announced
Given the severity of the disaster, Myanmar’s junta leader Min Aung Hlaing made a rare appeal for international aid. In response, India has sent military aircraft carrying relief supplies, while China has deployed rescue teams. A 78-member team from Singapore, equipped with rescue dogs, is also assisting in Mandalay.
Myanmar’s ongoing civil war complicates relief efforts. However, opposition forces have declared a two-week ceasefire in quake-affected regions to allow aid distribution. Despite this, reports indicate that military airstrikes continued just hours after the earthquake.
Bangkok High-Rise Collapse
The earthquake also shook Bangkok, Thailand, causing a 30-story building under construction to collapse. At least 32 people were injured, and dozens remain trapped.
Rescue teams are using sniffer dogs, thermal drones, and heavy machinery to locate survivors. The Bangkok Metropolitan Authority has deployed engineers to assess 165 damaged buildings across the city.
Authorities fear the number of casualties will rise as rescue operations continue. With aftershocks still striking, the region remains on high alert.
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