A devastating earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, with the epicenter located near Mandalay, Myanmar. The 7.7 magnitude earthquake caused widespread destruction, including flattened buildings and significant loss of life. As of Sunday night, the death toll had surpassed 1,700 people, with Myanmar and the greater Bangkok area in Thailand taking the hardest hit.
Death Toll and Damage Assessment
In Myanmar, the earthquake claimed the lives of more than 1,700 people, with 3,408 people injured and 139 still missing. Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, is near the epicenter and has suffered critical infrastructure damage, including the historic Ava Bridge and Mandalay University.
In Thailand, the earthquake’s impact was particularly severe in the Bangkok area, where 18 people were confirmed dead, 33 injured, and 78 remain missing as of Sunday.
Officials are still assessing the full extent of the destruction, but a clearer picture has begun to emerge. Search and rescue operations continue, with efforts to clear the debris ongoing. Myanmar has called for international aid as the situation remains critical.
Areas Affected and Infrastructure Destruction
The earthquake caused significant damage across a wide region. Myanmar is located on the Sagaing Fault, which runs between the India and Sunda plates, and much of the country, including Mandalay, has been heavily impacted.
Some of the most notable damage includes:
- The destruction of the Ava Bridge connecting Sagaing and Mandalay
- Significant damage to Mandalay University and various heritage sites
- Telecommunications outages, which have hampered emergency coordination in several regions, including Sagaing, Naypyidaw, Magway, Bago, and Shan State
Additionally, airports in Mandalay and Naypyidaw remain closed, further complicating relief efforts.
International Aid and Support
In the aftermath of the earthquake, several countries have mobilized aid to Myanmar. Teams from India, China, Singapore, and Thailand have arrived to assist in rescue and relief operations. The United Kingdom has pledged £10 million (around $12 million) to support the delivery of humanitarian aid to the hardest-hit areas in Myanmar.
The British Foreign Office confirmed that the funds will focus on providing food, water, medicine, and shelter to those in need.
Additionally, the Red Cross has launched an appeal for more than $100 million to assist 100,000 people across 20,000 households. These funds will be used for relief and early recovery support over the next 24 months.
WHO and Other Agencies Mobilize Emergency Supplies
The World Health Organization (WHO) has sent nearly 3 tons of emergency supplies from its stockpile in Yangon to hospitals in Mandalay and Naypyidaw. These supplies include trauma kits and other medical materials to support the injured.
The Red Cross and other international agencies are also working to deliver tents and essential supplies to Mandalay and Naypyidaw.