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BANGKOK – International assistance started arriving in Myanmar on Saturday as rescue personnel searched for survivors after a powerful earthquake struck the Southeast Asian nation. Concerns are rising that the number of fatalities could significantly increase following the devastating seismic event.
Myanmar Earthquake: Death Toll Climbs, Aid Arrives
The official death toll in Myanmar has risen sharply to 694, with 1,670 individuals reported injured, according to figures released by the military government. This is a significant increase from the 144 deaths initially reported by state media on Friday after the powerful earthquake.
According to a statement released via state media by the junta, “Infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings, has been impacted, resulting in casualties and injuries among civilians. Search and rescue operations are currently in progress within the affected regions.”
General Min Aung Hlaing, leader of the ruling junta, had previously cautioned on Friday about the potential for increased casualties and injuries. He also extended an invitation to “any country” to offer support and donations to assist in the disaster relief efforts.
A rescue contingent from China arrived on Saturday, joining Russia and the United States in offering aid to the disaster-stricken region. The earthquake, which occurred around midday on Friday, caused considerable damage, including to numerous structures in neighboring Thailand.
USGS Estimates High Potential Death Toll
Predictive modeling from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) suggests the potential death toll in Myanmar could tragically exceed 10,000 people. Furthermore, the USGS estimates that the economic losses could surpass the country’s gross domestic product.
Susan Hough, a scientist with the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, explained to Reuters the inherent difficulty in accurately predicting an earthquake’s death toll, citing factors such as the time of occurrence.
Hough noted that the daytime timing of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar may have been a mitigating factor. “When an earthquake occurs during daylight hours, people are awake and more alert, enhancing their ability to react effectively,” she stated.
Drawing on her experience working on Myanmar’s local seismology network, Hough indicated that the combination of modern and traditional building styles in the country would influence the extent of casualties. She suggested that traditional buildings “are likely to be less lethal compared to concrete structures” during seismic events.
Rescue Efforts Underway in Thailand After Earthquake
A significant portion of the destruction in Myanmar occurred in Mandalay, the nation’s second-largest city, which is situated near the earthquake’s epicenter.
In Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, located approximately 620 miles (1,000 km) from the epicenter, rescue operations were intensified on Saturday. The focus was on locating construction workers believed to be trapped within the wreckage of a collapsed 33-story building.
According to a Facebook post by the Chinese embassy, a team of 37 personnel from China arrived in Yangon, Myanmar’s former capital, early Saturday. They brought essential medical supplies and equipment designed to detect signs of life in disaster zones.
Russian state news agency TASS reported that Russia is dispatching 120 experienced rescue workers along with medical professionals and search dogs to assist in the relief efforts.
President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he had communicated with officials in Myanmar and affirmed that his administration would provide some form of assistance to the affected nation.
Search for Survivors in Bangkok Continues
Thai authorities have reported nine fatalities and 101 individuals missing in Bangkok, primarily construction workers trapped in the debris of the collapsed building.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stated at the disaster site on Saturday, “We will exert every effort, we will not abandon hope of saving lives, and we will deploy all available resources.” Excavators were actively removing debris, and drones were deployed to survey the rubble in the ongoing search for survivors.
The earthquake brought the Thai capital to a standstill on Friday. Governor Chadchart mentioned that hundreds of residents had spent the night in city parks, but noted that conditions were gradually returning to normal.