Rescue efforts continue in Myanmar and Thailand after a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the region, leaving over 1,600 people dead.
The Myanmar military government confirmed the rising death toll, while a US agency has warned that fatalities could surpass 10,000. The powerful quake caused destruction in several countries, with tremors felt as far as India, Bangladesh, and China.
Rescue Operations and Rising Death Toll
The earthquake struck Myanmar’s Mandalay region, the country's second-largest city and the epicentre of the disaster. Survivors and rescuers have been working tirelessly, often with their bare hands, to search for those trapped under the rubble.
Myanmar’s military chief, Min Aung Hlaing, confirmed that at least 1,644 people had died, with over 2,400 injured. However, the actual toll is feared to be much higher.
Several areas remain inaccessible due to collapsed bridges and damaged roads, hampering relief efforts. A survivor from Myanmar recounted his horrific experience to the the media, explaining how he was pulled from the debris after the earthquake struck while he was in a washroom.
As he ran for safety, another tremor hit, bringing down another building. His grandmother, aunt, and uncles remain missing, with little hope for survival.
India Extends Support Through Operation Brahma
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Myanmar’s military ruler Min Aung Hlaing, expressing India’s solidarity with the people of Myanmar. "Spoke with Senior General HE. Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar.
Conveyed our deep condolences at the loss of lives in the devastating earthquake. As a close friend and neighbour, India stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar in this difficult hour," Modi stated.
Following this, India launched Operation Brahma, dispatching 15 tonnes of relief materials via an Indian Air Force aircraft. The aid package includes solar lamps, food packets, and kitchen sets to support affected communities.
Additionally, 80 rescuers from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), equipped with specialised search equipment and trained sniffer dogs, have been deployed to Naypyidaw.
Further extending support, Indian Navy ships INS Satpura and INS Savitri, carrying 40 tonnes of humanitarian aid, are en route to Yangon’s port to provide further assistance.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed these developments, emphasising India's commitment to helping Myanmar in this time of crisis.
Thailand Declares Emergency in Bangkok
In Thailand, nine people died in Bangkok, where a skyscraper collapsed during the tremors. The authorities received over 2,000 reports of structural cracks in buildings across the capital. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stated that while an under-construction building had collapsed, no completed buildings had suffered structural failure.
A state of emergency has been declared in Bangkok, and rescue teams are working to save those trapped under debris. Authorities believe 40 people are still buried, with vital signs detected from at least 15 individuals. "No delays, no stops – every second counts in saving lives," Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said.
Global Response and Assistance
As Myanmar struggles with the aftermath, international support is beginning to pour in. China and Russia have already dispatched aid and rescue teams, responding to an urgent appeal from Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing.
In a rare move, he made a global appeal for assistance, stating, "I would like to invite any country, any organisation, or anyone in Myanmar to come and help. Thank you."
The United States, despite Donald Trump’s recent announcement of budget cuts to USAID, has pledged support for Myanmar’s earthquake victims. The Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN has also committed to assisting Myanmar, issuing a statement affirming solidarity and pledging coordinated relief efforts.
Meanwhile, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has warned that the death toll could exceed 10,000, with the risk of further aftershocks.
Tremors Felt Across the Region
The earthquake was so powerful that tremors were felt 900 kilometres away in Bangkok, where iconic structures and bridges collapsed.
In India, the quake was experienced in the northeastern states of Meghalaya and Manipur, while strong tremors were also reported in Bangladesh’s Dhaka and Chattogram, as well as in parts of China.
Adding to the devastation, another earthquake struck Myanmar’s capital, Naypyidaw, on Saturday afternoon at 2:50 pm. The extent of the damage from this fresh tremor is yet to be determined.
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