MANDALAY, Myanmar: A devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, resulting in a death toll that has risen to 2,056 with more than 3,900 people injured.
A statement from the government’s spokesperson 270 more people were still missing.
The quake, one of the most powerful to hit the Southeast Asian nation in a century, has caused widespread destruction across cities and rural areas alike.
The earthquake has led to the collapse of numerous buildings, including homes, schools, and religious structures.
Critical infrastructure such as bridges, highways, and airports has been severely damaged, hindering rescue and relief operations.
Myanmar declares national week of mourning
Myanmar’s government declared a week of national mourning on Monday for the country’s devastating earthquake.
National flags will fly at half-mast until April 6 “in sympathy for the loss of life and damages” from Friday’s massive 7.7-magnitude quake, the statement said.
International aid and rescue efforts
In response to the disaster, international aid has begun to pour into Myanmar. Neighbouring countries including China, India, and Thailand have dispatched relief materials and rescue teams.
Furthermore, Malaysia, Singapore, and Russia have contributed aid and personnel to assist in the relief efforts.
The United Nations has allocated $5 million for immediate response, emphasising the urgency of stabilising affected communities before the onset of the monsoon season.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain. Damaged infrastructure and ongoing civil conflict have complicated the delivery of aid to the hardest-hit areas.
In some regions near the epicentre, residents report a lack of government assistance, leaving communities to conduct rescue operations with limited resources.
Thai anti-corruption watchdog concerned on building collapse
An anti-corruption watchdog had flagged irregularities in the construction of a Bangkok skyscraper that collapsed in an earthquake last week and killed at least 11 people, the head of the monitoring group told Reuters.
The government had threatened to cancel the project earlier this year because of delays, Mana Nimitmongkol, president of the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand, said on Sunday.
The government has announced an investigation into the cause of the collapse of the tower, which was being built by a Chinese company and a long-established Thai construction firm.
