The devastation wrought by a massive earthquake in Myanmar has sent shockwaves through the region, with death tolls climbing and aftershocks continuing to rattle already-stricken communities. Two days after the initial 7.7-magnitude quake struck near the central Myanmar city of Mandalay, the crisis has evolved into a multifaceted humanitarian emergency, affecting millions of lives across both Myanmar and neighboring Thailand.
As of Sunday afternoon, Myanmar’s ruling junta confirmed that approximately 1,700 people had died, around 3,400 were injured, and roughly 300 more were missing. However, with communication networks severely disrupted in many areas, the true scope of the disaster remains unclear, and experts warn that the toll is likely to rise significantly in the coming days.
The initial quake, followed by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock minutes later, caused catastrophic damage in Mandalay, a city of over 1.7 million people. Buildings crumbled, bridges collapsed, and roads buckled, leaving residents scrambling to find safety amid the chaos. Tea shop owner Win Lwin, surveying the ruins of a collapsed restaurant, told AFP that about seven people had perished when the quake struck. “I’m looking for more bodies but I know there cannot be any survivors,” he said grimly.
The aftershocks have only compounded the misery. A small tremor struck early Sunday, sending people fleeing from hotels for safety, while another 5.1-magnitude aftershock late Sunday afternoon temporarily halted rescue operations as people again poured into the streets in alarm. The relentless shaking has further endangered trapped survivors and complicated relief efforts.
Rescue teams have been working tirelessly to locate survivors beneath the rubble of collapsed structures. At a destroyed Buddhist examination hall in Mandalay, responders from Myanmar and China collaborated to search for buried victims. San Nwe Aye, the distraught sister of a 46-year-old monk missing in the collapsed hall, pleaded for news of his whereabouts. “I want to hear the sound of him preaching,” she said tearfully. “The whole village looked up to him.”
Efforts to save a pregnant woman trapped under the rubble of a collapsed apartment block proved tragically futile. Rescuers initially believed they had succeeded in freeing her after amputating her leg, but she succumbed shortly after being pulled out and was pronounced dead. Such incidents underscore the immense challenges faced by rescuers in the face of limited resources and time-sensitive conditions.
Adding to the complexity of the crisis, Myanmar is already grappling with a protracted civil war sparked by a military coup in 2021. The conflict has displaced 3.5 million people, many of whom were already struggling with hunger and poverty before the earthquake struck. The UN has warned of a severe shortage of medical equipment, hindering the country’s ability to respond effectively to the disaster. Aid agencies have echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that Myanmar lacks the infrastructure and capacity to manage a catastrophe of this scale.
Even before the quake, the country had been reeling from years of unrest and instability. The junta’s decision to issue an unusually rare appeal for international aid reflects the unprecedented severity of the situation. Historically, Myanmar’s military regimes have been reluctant to accept foreign assistance, even after major natural disasters. However, the sheer magnitude of the earthquake and its aftershocks has forced the regime to reconsider its stance.
Across the border in Thailand, the earthquake also exacted a heavy toll. At least 18 people were killed in Bangkok when a 30-story skyscraper under construction collapsed after the initial quake. Another 33 were injured, and 78 were still missing, with most believed to be trapped under the vast pile of debris where the building once stood. Survivors recounted the surreal experience of witnessing a disaster typically seen only on television. “I never expected this would happen to me,” said 22-year-old Burmese worker Kyaw Lin Htet.
Rescue teams deployed sniffer dogs and thermal imaging drones to search for signs of life in the collapsed structure, which sits near the popular Chatuchak weekend market frequented by tourists. Authorities also announced plans to assess and repair 165 damaged buildings in Bangkok, signaling the enormity of the task ahead.
In a glimmer of hope amid the despair, anti-junta fighters in Myanmar declared a two-week partial ceasefire in quake-affected regions starting Sunday. The shadow “National Unity Government” announced the truce in a bid to facilitate relief efforts and allow aid to reach vulnerable communities. However, sporadic violence has persisted, with reports emerging of rebel groups encountering aerial attacks shortly after the tremors hit.
The international response has been swift, with aid pouring in from donor countries. Thailand dispatched 55 military personnel, six rescue dogs, and equipment including cranes and diggers to assist in the relief effort. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies launched an emergency appeal for over $100 million to help victims, underscoring the urgent need for global support.
As the crisis unfolds, the resilience of rescue teams and the generosity of international donors offer a ray of hope. Yet, the scale of the disaster remains daunting, with the potential for further aftershocks and the continued risk of secondary hazards such as landslides and structural collapses. The international community must rally together to support Myanmar and Thailand in their efforts to recover and rebuild.
The earthquake has laid bare the vulnerabilities of a region already grappling with conflict and instability. For Mandalay and Bangkok, the road to recovery will be long and arduous. As the world watches, the focus must remain on saving lives, providing essential aid, and ensuring that those affected by this tragedy receive the support they desperately need.
