Myanmar quake tragedy: Hundreds dead, thousands in need
Military leaders of Myanmar (formerly Burma) reported that Friday's powerful earthquake resulted in the deaths of 694 people and left 1,670 injured, according to the BBC. The region was struck by a massive tremor measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale. These figures pertain only to the Mandalay region, located in the central part of the country, CNN notes.
What do you need to know?
- The 7.7 magnitude earthquake had its epicenter in Myanmar (Burma), but the tremors were also felt in Thailand, India, and China.
- The military junta has made a rare request for international humanitarian aid.
- A state of emergency has been declared in the six most affected regions: Sikong, Mandalay, Magwe, the northeastern Shan state, Naypyidaw, and Bago.
The statement explains that roads, bridges, and buildings have suffered extensive damage, resulting in civilian deaths and injuries. Search and rescue efforts are currently in progress in the impacted regions.
The city of Mandalay, the second-largest city in Burma, was the most severely damaged as it was closest to the epicenter.
The number of victims may be much higher
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) anticipates that Burma may experience thousands of deaths and substantial economic damage. The analysis indicates the disaster is expected to cause widespread destruction and have far-reaching consequences.
Earthquake. WHO activates crisis management system
Organizations Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have urged the ruling junta in Burma to allow access for humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, the Red Cross expressed concerns about the condition of major dams.
"Public infrastructure has been damaged, including roads, bridges and public buildings. We currently have concerns for large-scale dams that people are watching to see the conditions of them," said Marie Manrique from the Red Cross, who is in Yangon.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that it is preparing medical supplies and has initiated its crisis management system, mobilizing its logistics center in Dubai to ready supplies for treating injuries.
Zin Mar Aung, the chief diplomat of the opposition government in exile, said that militias opposed to the junta, known as the people's defense forces, will provide humanitarian aid to all in need.
"It's very serious, we need humanitarian and technical assistance from the international community," said Zin Mar Aung.
She emphasized that a significant challenge currently is communication, mainly due to the internet restrictions imposed by the junta in the earthquake-affected area.
Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand
On Friday, Myanmar and neighboring Thailand were struck by a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7. The earthquake, with its epicenter near Mandalay, Burma's second-largest city, occurred at noon Eastern Time, followed by a strong aftershock measuring 6.4.
According to the earthquake agency in Beijing, the tremors were also felt in the southwestern province of Yunnan, China.
