Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Climbs to Over 1,600
The official death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck central Myanmar has surged from 1,007 to 1,644 as of late March 29, with at least 3,408 people reported injured and 139 still missing, according to the country’s government.
Officials warn the number of casualties is expected to rise significantly as more information becomes available from remote and isolated areas. Humanitarian experts say the full scale of the disaster is only beginning to emerge.
“It could take weeks to fully assess the damage,” said Mohamed Riyas, Myanmar director for the International Rescue Committee. “But what we already know is that the impact is extremely serious.”
The magnitude-7.7 quake struck near the city of Sagaing on March 28, followed just minutes later by a powerful 6.7 aftershock. The tremors destroyed homes, collapsed bridges, and cracked roads across large swaths of the country.
Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city with more than 1.7 million residents, was hit especially hard. Power outages and food shortages have sparked long lines for fuel and basic supplies. Hospitals have exceeded capacity, forcing patients to be treated outdoors.
“We need help,” said 68-year-old Mandalay resident Thar Aye. “We don’t have enough of anything.” Ambulances were seen transporting patients to a hospital roughly two hours outside the city, where there’s still room for treatment.
Kyi Minn, director of World Vision Myanmar, said he hasn’t seen a crisis of this magnitude in over three decades of humanitarian work in the country. He described immediate needs as including food and clean water.
“There’s a serious risk of a water crisis,” he warned, citing damage to water infrastructure. Relief operations are also being hindered by damaged highways and the temporary closure of airports in Mandalay and Naypyidaw.
Myanmar has declared a state of emergency in six of the hardest-hit regions and is appealing for international assistance.
India has already delivered 15 tons of humanitarian aid and launched “Operation Brahma,” which includes the deployment of a 118-person field hospital team. Two aircraft carrying 80 search-and-rescue personnel and four naval ships loaded with relief supplies are also en route.
The United Nations has allocated $5 million in emergency relief funding. President Donald Trump announced on March 28 that the United States will provide assistance to Myanmar, though specific details have not yet been released.
Russia’s emergency ministry is sending two aircraft carrying 120 rescue workers and supplies. Other nations—including China, South Korea, and Malaysia—are dispatching support teams as well.
(Sources: AFP, Al Jazeera)
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