A devastating earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, causing massive destruction and claiming over 1,600 lives, with officials fearing the toll could rise to ten thousand as many remain trapped under debris.
The quake’s epicenter was near Mandalay, the second-largest city in Southeast Asian, sending powerful tremors across the region.
In Bangkok, more than 600 miles away, a 30-story building under construction collapsed due to the impact.
Rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate survivors under the rubble of collapsed buildings, monasteries, and mosques.
Volunteers and emergency workers have flooded into Mandalay, but hopes of finding survivors diminish with each passing hour.
A rescue worker, Ko Thien Win, has urged authorities to deploy excavators and heavy machinery to aid recovery efforts.
The earthquake left thousands without electricity, and hospitals were overwhelmed with the injured and deceased.
Ambulances continue to transport victims to medical facilities with available space, and the streets remain chaotic as emergency teams struggle to manage the crisis.
The worst-hit areas lie along the Sagaing Fault, which runs through central Myanmar, leaving behind widespread devastation, blocked roads, and downed power lines.
The disaster adds to the challenges Myanmar’s military junta is already facing due to internal conflict and political instability.
International aid efforts have begun, with neighboring countries extending assistance. Beijing has dispatched a rescue team equipped with life-detection tools and drones, while South Korea has pledged $2 million in aid.
Malaysia has sent two relief teams consisting of 50 personnel to support rescue operations.
However, Myanmar’s military junta remains politically isolated, and ongoing sanctions may complicate the effective distribution of foreign aid.
The earthquake’s tremors were felt beyond Myanmar, reaching Bangladesh, Vietnam, and southern China.
In Ruili, near the Myanmar border, reports of injuries have emerged as the disaster’s impact spreads across the region.