Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand: death toll rises to over 2,700

Military junta proclaims national mourning, relief operations continue

The death toll of the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand has risen to 2,719 people dead, with some 4,521 injured and more than 400 missing, according to Burma’s military junta leader, General Min Aung Hlaing. The event, with a magnitude of 7.7, shook the two nations last Friday, with the earthquake also felt hundreds of kilometres away in Thailand, where 20 people were reported killed.

Myanmar’s military junta has declared a week of national mourning, with flags at half-mast until 6 April, and today a minute’s silence was observed at 12:51:02, the exact time of the quake. Despite the ongoing rescue efforts, hopes of finding survivors diminish as time passes.

Rescuers from China, India, Malaysia, Russia and Thailand are already active in the affected areas, while American teams, due to Usaid cuts under the Trump administration, are delayed. China, in the forefront of sending aid, has already provided $14 million, tents, blankets, first aid kits and about 200 relief workers.

The US embassy has stated that Washington will provide up to 2 million in aid through local organisations, but the US team has not yet arrived in the country.

Meanwhile, the Thai capital Bangkok is returning to normal after the earthquake, with the governor lifting the disaster zone declaration. However, difficulties persist, including the collapse of a 30-storey building in the north of the city, with 70 people still trapped under rubble.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)