In brief
The death toll rises while international aid and rescue efforts engage in a race against time.
Four survivors have been rescued nearly 60 hours after a strong 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, killing at least 1,700 people. Efforts persist in the northern Sagaing region where rescuers retrieved individuals from the debris of a collapsed school, alongside the grim discovery of a body, as reported by Myanmar's fire service. The search continues amidst heavy debris, with hundreds still unaccounted for in both Myanmar and neighboring Thailand, where the building collapse in Bangkok has claimed 18 lives and left 76 workers missing.The earthquake, which occurred near Mandalay, was felt across several countries due to the tectonic activity along the Sagaing fault, with tremors reported as far away as China and Thailand. Rescue efforts began immediately; however, access to the worst-affected areas has been slow, forcing locals to dig through rubble by hand while the arrival of international aid is underway. Notable rescues were celebrated, including an elderly woman in Nay Pyi Taw, who was discovered after being trapped for 36 hours under hospital debris.The quake struck on Friday at 12:50 PM local time, followed by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock just 12 minutes later. A surge of aftershocks continues to disrupt ongoing operations, including a recent 5.1 magnitude quake near Mandalay. In Bangkok, the situation remained critical after a construction site collapse. Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister noted that although signs of life under the rubble were detected, those trapped may be in fragile conditions, compounded by construction “anomalies” being investigated.Rescue teams from diverse nations are contributing to the relief effort, including China’s 82-person team and additional teams from India, Malaysia, and various other countries, with UK pledged aid of £10 million. However, amidst these disaster efforts, Myanmar's ruling military junta has been criticized for continuing air assaults in conflict areas, attracting condemnation from the UN. Facing ongoing strife and the impending monsoon season, the National Unity Government has announced a two-week halt on aggressive military actions in quake-affected areas, although concerns about worsening conditions remain high.
