Published: 30 Mar 2025 at 09:45
MANDALAY (MYANMAR) – In the aftermath of a catastrophic earthquake, residents of Mandalay scoured through rubble on Sunday, desperately searching for survivors as aftershocks continued to tremble the already devastated city. The earthquake, registering a magnitude of 7.7, tragically resulted in over 1,600 fatalities in Myanmar and claimed at least 11 lives in neighboring Thailand.
The initial quake hit near Mandalay on Friday afternoon, followed shortly by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock that exacerbated the destruction.
The tremors caused substantial damage, collapsing buildings, disrupting infrastructure, and leading to widespread devastation in the city, which is home to more than 1.7 million people.
As morning broke on Sunday, local shop owner Win Lwin navigated through the ruins of a collapsed restaurant on a busy street, sifting through debris in search of victims.
“Approximately seven people perished here during the quake,” he stated. “I am hoping to find more bodies, but I fear there are no survivors left.”
In a chilling reminder of the continuing threat, a minor aftershock occurred shortly after, prompting frantic evacuations from nearby hotels.
Firefighters were mobilized from various fire stations across Mandalay to assist in rescue operations.
The previous night, a woman was successfully rescued from the wreckage of a collapsed apartment building, receiving applause as she was transported to safety.
According to Myanmar’s ruling junta, the confirmed death toll stands at least 1,644, with over 3,400 individuals injured and 139 reported missing. However, due to limited communication, the full extent of the catastrophe remains unclear, and authorities anticipate a significant increase in the casualty figures.
In an unprecedented move, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing issued a request for international aid on Friday, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Historically, previous military regimes have eschewed foreign assistance even after significant disasters.
Compounding the crisis, Myanmar has been grappling with the ramifications of a civil war initiated by a military coup in 2021.
In an effort to aid the affected regions, anti-junta combatants announced a two-week ceasefire starting Sunday, pledging collaboration with humanitarian organizations to establish rescue and medical camps.
Humanitarian agencies have expressed concerns regarding Myanmar’s readiness to handle a disaster of this scale, noting that around 3.5 million people were already displaced by ongoing conflict prior to the earthquake.
In neighboring Thailand, rescue teams are actively working in Bangkok, where a 30-story skyscraper under construction collapsed following the earthquake. Reports confirm that at least 11 individuals lost their lives, while numerous others remain trapped beneath the debris. Authorities are expected to release further updates regarding the situation soon.
Heavy machinery, along with sniffer dogs and thermal imaging drones, has been deployed to locate potential survivors under the wreckage.
Engineers are also set to assess and initiate repairs on 165 damaged structures across the city.
