BANGKOK, March 30 – The death toll from Myanmar’s powerful earthquake has climbed to 1,700 as international aid teams race to assist survivors in a country already crippled by conflict and economic turmoil. Hospitals remain overwhelmed, and many communities are left to fend for themselves with limited resources.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, one of the most powerful tremors to hit the Southeast Asian nation in a century. According to the military government, at least 3,400 people have been injured, with over 300 still missing. Authorities warn that the number of casualties could rise further in the coming days.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing acknowledged the severity of the disaster, stating that restoring essential infrastructure is a priority. Bridges, highways, railways, and airports have suffered extensive damage, hampering rescue and relief efforts. The military administration, in a rare move, has called for international assistance, with aid arriving from India, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Russia.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies described the situation as dire, citing concerns over rising temperatures and the looming monsoon season, which could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. Relief organizations are scrambling to prevent further suffering, but access to affected regions remains a challenge due to damaged transport routes and ongoing conflict.
The devastation compounds the existing crisis in Myanmar, where a civil war has raged since the 2021 military coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. More than 3.5 million people have already been displaced, and the nation’s healthcare system is struggling under immense pressure.
Residents in some of the hardest-hit areas, such as Sagaing, report a lack of government assistance. Many are relying on makeshift rescue efforts with little to no external support. A resident described widespread destruction, noting that electricity has been out since the quake and drinking water is running dangerously low.
Hospitals in Mandalay and Naypyitaw are struggling to accommodate the surge of injured patients, with limited medical supplies and staff. Satellite images show sections of a key bridge connecting Sagaing to Mandalay have collapsed, further isolating affected communities. Opposition forces, including the National Unity Government and its allied militias, have announced a temporary halt to military operations for two weeks to allow relief efforts to proceed.
The U.S. Geological Service has projected that the death toll could exceed 10,000, warning of economic losses surpassing Myanmar’s annual GDP. Meanwhile, in neighboring Thailand, the quake triggered the collapse of an under-construction 33-story skyscraper in Bangkok, killing at least 18 people. Rescue teams continue to search for 76 people still trapped under the debris, using drones and sniffer dogs to locate survivors.
Rescue teams in Myanmar face enormous obstacles in reaching those still buried beneath the rubble. In Mandalay, humanitarian workers describe desperate attempts to pull out survivors using basic tools like ropes and gloves, as heavy machinery remains scarce. One worker estimated that hundreds could still be trapped, making it difficult to determine the full scale of the disaster.
Amid the wreckage, heart-wrenching scenes are unfolding. In Bangkok, at the collapsed building site, families of missing workers anxiously await news. One woman, standing near the rubble, called out in desperation for her daughter. “Ploy, can you hear me? I’m here for you now!” she cried, her voice breaking as others tried to console her.
