Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Surges Past 1,644/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Myanmar’s earthquake death toll has surpassed 1,644 as rescue workers continue to recover bodies from collapsed buildings. The 7.7 magnitude quake struck near Mandalay and has crippled infrastructure in a country already suffering from civil war. Aid is trickling in from China, Russia, and others, but relief efforts face major challenges.
Myanmar Earthquake Tragedy Quick Looks
- 7.7 magnitude earthquake hits near Mandalay, Myanmar
- Death toll rises to 1,644 with over 2,300 injured
- Several aftershocks followed, including a 6.4 magnitude tremor
- Collapsed buildings, damaged roads, and downed communications reported
- Relief efforts hampered by Myanmar’s ongoing civil war
- Neighboring Thailand also reports casualties and building collapses
- China pledges $13.8M in aid; Russia, India, Malaysia send teams
- UN allocates $5 million; U.S. pledges support despite aid cuts
- Experts warn more fatalities likely as remote regions are assessed
- Myanmar’s military continues airstrikes amid disaster response
Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Surges Past 1,644
Deep Look
Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Exceeds 1,000 Amid Rubble, Conflict, and Rising Despair
BANGKOK — The confirmed death toll from Friday’s powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar surged past 1,644 on Saturday.As recovery teams pulled more bodies from the wreckage of collapsed buildings near the city of Mandalay. Officials now report 1,644 fatalities, 2,376 injuries, and at least 30 people still missing.
Myanmar’s military-led government acknowledged the numbers may continue to rise, with data still being gathered from hard-hit regions. The quake struck midday, violently shaking the earth and triggering widespread destruction, including collapsed bridges, buckled roads, and a burst dam. The situation is dire, compounded by the country’s ongoing civil war, which has already displaced millions and crippled access to basic services.
“The humanitarian consequences of this earthquake are layered on top of an already massive crisis,” said Haider Yaqub of Plan International in Yangon. “Without a doubt, the needs will be significant and long-term.”
Relief Complicated by Conflict
Myanmar, already gripped by violent unrest since the military seized power in 2021, faces enormous challenges in mobilizing aid. Armed conflict in several states continues unabated, even as the quake wreaked havoc.
In Karenni and Shan states, airstrikes by military forces were reported just minutes after the earthquake struck. Humanitarian groups like Free Burma Rangers confirmed that some rebel-held villages were bombed, killing militia members and damaging infrastructure, including schools.
“There’s little left to destroy in many of these places,” said Dave Eubank, founder of the aid group. “But the military keeps attacking even during a natural disaster.”
Scenes of Grief in Thailand
The quake’s impact extended beyond Myanmar, with significant tremors felt in Thailand, especially in Bangkok. At a construction site near the bustling Chatuchak Market, six workers—many of them from Myanmar—are believed to be trapped. Families waited anxiously on Saturday as rescue teams sifted through rubble.
“I was praying they survived, but seeing this destruction, I don’t know where to hope,” said Naruemol Thonglek, who awaited news of her partner and friends.
Bangkok authorities confirmed six deaths, 26 injuries, and 47 missing persons tied to the incident. Other northern Thai provinces reported structural damage, particularly to homes and temples, though the worst toll was concentrated in the capital.
A Nation on a Fault Line
Earthquakes are common in Myanmar due to its location along the Sagaing Fault, a tectonic boundary that separates two major plates. Seismologist Brian Baptie said the quake involved a 200-kilometer rupture with ground shifts of up to 5 meters, causing extreme shaking in populated areas with fragile, unreinforced buildings.
“In places where people live in wood and brick structures, the consequences are often catastrophic,” Baptie warned.
The quake also disrupted communications, power, and road access across several states. In Naypyidaw, the capital, entire neighborhoods were cut off, with civil servant housing blocks heavily damaged.
Global Aid Arrives
Despite Myanmar’s historically guarded approach to foreign intervention, the government indicated it would welcome international aid. Blood donations and basic supplies are urgently needed in affected areas.
China was among the first to respond, sending over 135 emergency personnel and pledging $13.8 million in humanitarian assistance. Russia dispatched 120 rescue workers, while India and Malaysia deployed search and medical teams.
South Korea committed $2 million in emergency support via international organizations. The United Nations released $5 million from its relief fund to jump-start aid coordination.
President Donald Trump, speaking from Washington on Friday, said the United States would offer assistance, though experts raised concerns about the administration’s substantial cuts to foreign aid programs.
Lives Lost, Relief Urgently Needed
Rescue efforts are still underway, but the outlook remains grim. Many communities remain inaccessible due to both infrastructure collapse and active conflict zones. Aid agencies warn that in regions where roads are impassable and communication is severed, many victims may not yet have been counted.
“This tragedy is far from over,” said one U.N. official coordinating the early response. “We expect the number of casualties to rise and for the needs to overwhelm local capabilities.”
Myanmar’s civil war, natural vulnerability to earthquakes, and an already dire humanitarian situation now intersect in what may become one of the country’s worst disasters in recent memory.
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