Myanmar earthquake tragedy: Death toll surpasses 1,000 as rescuers race against time

The death toll from a devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand has surpassed 1,000, as rescue teams continue digging through the rubble in a frantic search for survivors.

The powerful 7.7-magnitude quake hit northwest of Sagaing, central Myanmar, on Saturday afternoon, followed minutes later by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock.

The earthquake caused extensive damage, toppling buildings, destroying bridges, and buckling roads. The hardest-hit areas include Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, home to over 1.7 million people.

At least 1,002 people have been confirmed dead and nearly 2,400 injured in Myanmar, according to the junta. In Thailand, authorities reported at least 10 fatalities in Bangkok. With communication lines down, officials fear the actual death toll could be far higher.

Myanmar earthquake strongest in decades

Geologists say this is the most powerful earthquake to hit Myanmar in decades. The tremors were felt as far away as Bangkok, where buildings were severely damaged.

In Mandalay, Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalists witnessed the destruction of an ancient Buddhist pagoda, reduced to rubble by the force of the quake.

“It started shaking, then it got serious,” said a soldier at a nearby checkpoint. “The monastery collapsed, killing a monk. We managed to rescue some injured people and rushed them to the hospital.”

At Mandalay Airport, guards turned away journalists, confirming that the facility had been closed since the quake struck. “The ceiling collapsed, but fortunately, no one was hurt,” one official stated. The airport’s closure is expected to complicate relief efforts in a country already struggling with the effects of a prolonged civil war following a military coup in 2021.

Junta’s rare appeal for international aid

In an unusual move, Myanmar’s junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing, issued a rare plea for international assistance, highlighting the severity of the disaster. Historically, Myanmar’s military rulers have rejected foreign aid, even in the aftermath of major natural calamities.

The junta has declared a state of emergency in the six worst-affected regions. In Naypyidaw, the capital, overwhelmed medical staff were forced to treat wounded victims outdoors on Friday due to hospital damage.

Offers of assistance are beginning to pour in. Former U.S. President Donald Trump pledged American support, stating, “It’s a real bad one, and we will be helping. We’ve already spoken with the country.”

An initial relief flight from India landed in Yangon on Saturday, carrying essential supplies such as hygiene kits, blankets, and food parcels. Meanwhile, China dispatched an 82-person rescue team to Myanmar to assist in relief operations.

Aid agencies warn that Myanmar is woefully unprepared for a disaster of this magnitude. Even before the earthquake, the country’s ongoing civil conflict had displaced 3.5 million people, many already facing severe food shortages.

Bangkok high-rise collapse: Rescuers work through the night

Across the border in Thailand, Bangkok also witnessed devastation. A 30-story skyscraper under construction collapsed in seconds because of the violent tremors.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt confirmed at least 10 deaths across the city, mostly from the skyscraper collapse. “We are doing our best with the resources we have because every life matters,” Chadchart told reporters at the scene.

Rescuers are racing against time, using thermal imaging drones to locate survivors trapped beneath the wreckage. Authorities have detected signs of life from at least 15 people still buried under the debris. Up to 100 workers remain unaccounted for.

Thousands forced to sleep in the open air

Authorities in Bangkok received over 2,000 reports of structural damage, prompting inspections of high-rise buildings across the city. At least 400 people were forced to sleep outdoors in city parks after their homes were declared unsafe.

Dramatic footage captured rooftop swimming pools spilling their contents down the sides of towering apartment complexes. Hospitals were also affected, with one woman delivering her baby outdoors after being evacuated. In a remarkable display of dedication, a surgeon continued operating on a patient outside after evacuating the hospital.

With aftershocks still possible, authorities across Myanmar and Thailand remain on high alert as rescue efforts continue.

The full scale of the tragedy is yet to unfold, but the devastation is already among the worst in the region’s recent history.