The 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday has left at least 1,644 people dead and over 3,400 injured, with many still buried under collapsed buildings. The disaster, which had its epicenter near Mandalay, caused severe destruction, bringing down buildings and crippling infrastructure, including the Mandalay airport.
Rescue efforts have been severely hampered by damaged roads, downed bridges, and disrupted communications. Myanmar’s ongoing civil war, which has left many areas difficult or impossible for aid groups to reach, exacerbates the situation. Locals have been leading the search for survivors, moving debris by hand under extreme heat, with only a few excavators available. On Sunday, a 5.1 magnitude aftershock sent fresh waves of panic through Mandalay, but the rescue efforts continued.
Authorities warn that the true scale of the disaster remains unknown, as many areas outside Mandalay and Naypyitaw have yet to be reached. A representative from an international aid organization noted that the majority of rescues so far have been carried out by local volunteers. While some international teams have begun arriving, hospitals are overwhelmed, struggling with shortages of medical supplies, food, and clean water.
The Sagaing Fault, a major tectonic boundary running through Myanmar, was responsible for the earthquake. A 200-kilometer rupture along the fault led to widespread destruction in Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, Bago regions, and Shan State. The earthquake’s impact extended beyond Myanmar’s borders, causing fatalities and structural damage in Thailand, where a Bangkok high-rise under construction collapsed, killing at least 11 people.
International relief efforts are now underway. India has sent two C-17 military aircraft carrying field hospitals and emergency personnel, while China dispatched 135 rescue workers and $13.8 million in aid. Russia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the UK have also sent teams and supplies to assist in the response, despite transportation difficulties continuing to slow relief delivery, with supply convoys taking over 14 hours to reach Mandalay from Yangon due to blocked roads and detours.
Adding to the challenges, Myanmar’s military and opposition forces continue to clash. The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire to ensure aid can be delivered without obstruction. A UN rights monitor stated that humanitarian workers must be able to operate without fear of arrest, emphasizing that “every minute counts.”
As rescue operations continue, the window to find survivors is closing. Relief workers and international aid groups are rushing to provide assistance, as many have warned that the final death toll could be significantly higher.
