Additional Coverage:
Death Toll Surpasses 1,650 in Devastating Burma-Thailand Earthquake
The death toll continues to climb following a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Burma (also known as Myanmar) and Thailand on Friday. As of Saturday, authorities in Burma have confirmed 1,644 fatalities, with nearly 140 people still missing. In neighboring Thailand, at least ten deaths have been reported.
The epicenter of the quake was located in central Burma, where the impact has been catastrophic. Scores of buildings have collapsed, along with bridges and critical sections of highway. This marks the deadliest natural disaster to hit the impoverished, war-torn nation in years.
Rescue efforts in Burma have been hampered by the country’s ongoing civil war and the destruction of infrastructure. Survivors in Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city, were seen digging through rubble with their bare hands in desperate attempts to rescue those trapped beneath the debris.
Hundreds of foreign rescue personnel were permitted entry into the country on Saturday to assist in the ongoing efforts. Damage assessments indicate at least 2,900 buildings, 30 roads, and seven bridges have been damaged.
The collapse of the air traffic control tower at Naypyitaw International Airport further complicates rescue operations.
The earthquake struck during Friday prayers, leading to the collapse of at least 50 mosques and the deaths of nearly 300 people.
In Thailand, the quake shook buildings in the capital city of Bangkok, causing a 33-story apartment building under construction to collapse. Dramatic footage captured the skyscraper tumbling down, sending dust and debris billowing through the streets.
Sixteen injuries have also been reported. While aftershocks were felt in India and China, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has stated that Thailand has “returned to normalcy.”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump offered condolences and pledged assistance in the relief efforts.
The quake occurred along the Sagaing Fault, a major north-south fault line separating the India and Sunda plates. The region’s location along this fault line makes it susceptible to seismic activity.