The death toll from a devastating earthquake in Myanmar has climbed past 1,600, with rescuers scrambling to find survivors amid widespread destruction, Sky reports. The 7.7 magnitude quake, which struck central Myanmar on Friday, has left the region reeling, with tremors felt as far as Thailand and China.
Sky states that the death toll reached 1,644 by Saturday, according to Myanmar’s military government, a sharp rise from earlier reports of 1,002. The shallow quake, centred near Mandalay, caused buildings to collapse, roads to buckle, and bridges to crumble, amplifying the disaster’s toll. Sky notes that over 3,400 people are injured, and 139 remain missing, with fears the numbers could climb higher as remote areas are assessed.
In Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, Sky reports scenes of chaos as volunteers and rescue teams dig through rubble, some using bare hands due to a lack of heavy equipment. The quake’s impact was worsened by the country’s ongoing civil war, which Sky highlights as a barrier to effective relief efforts. Myanmar’s junta has made a rare appeal for international aid, with teams from China, India, and Russia arriving to assist, according to Sky.
Beyond Myanmar, Sky coverage shows the quake’s reach into Bangkok, where a skyscraper under construction collapsed, killing at least nine and leaving dozens trapped. Thai authorities are racing against time to rescue survivors, with Sky reporting ongoing efforts involving drones and heavy machinery. The United States Geological Survey warns the death toll in Myanmar could exceed 10,000, a grim estimate echoed in Sky’s updates.
Sky emphasises the unfolding humanitarian crisis, with Myanmar’s fragile infrastructure and conflict zones complicating access to affected areas. As aftershocks continue, the full scale of this tragedy—the deadliest quake to hit Myanmar in over a century—remains unclear, Sky reports.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
