Rescue workers in Myanmar and Thailand are racing against time to locate survivors after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
The tremors were felt across neighboring countries, triggering panic and leaving communities devastated.
Death Toll Rises Amid Desperate Search for Survivors
The earthquake, which struck in the early hours of Friday, has claimed at least 144 lives in Myanmar, with hundreds more injured, according to an army general.
The actual number of casualties is feared to be much higher, as many remain trapped under collapsed structures.
In Mandalay, a city near the epicenter, emergency teams are working relentlessly, often using their bare hands to pull trapped victims from the rubble.
“We are digging out people with our bare hands,” a rescue team member told the BBC, highlighting the desperate nature of the rescue efforts.
Emergency teams are using whatever tools they can find, as official disaster response resources remain limited due to Myanmar’s ongoing political instability.
High-Rise Collapse in Thailand Leaves Many Missing
The earthquake’s tremors extended into Thailand, causing an unfinished high-rise building to collapse. Local government officials report that at least six people have died, and around 100 construction workers remain unaccounted for. \
Search and rescue teams are deploying drones, sniffer dogs, and diggers in an attempt to locate survivors beneath the wreckage.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as the building crumbled, with workers scrambling to escape. “It was like the ground moved beneath us, and everything fell apart within seconds,” said one survivor who managed to escape the collapse.
Challenges in Myanmar’s Political Landscape
Rescue operations in Myanmar are being hampered by the country’s fragile political situation. Since a military junta seized power in a 2021 coup, access to affected regions has been restricted, and reliable information remains scarce. The government’s response has been slow, and local volunteers have taken the lead in many affected areas.
With Myanmar already facing economic hardship and humanitarian challenges, the earthquake has further strained its limited resources.
Hospitals, already overwhelmed due to recent conflicts and shortages, are struggling to handle the influx of injured victims.
Regional and Global Response
International aid organizations are closely monitoring the situation, with some offering assistance to affected regions.
Neighboring countries, including China and India, have pledged to support Myanmar’s emergency response efforts. Thailand’s government has also mobilized emergency teams to assist in search and rescue operations.
Meanwhile, humanitarian groups have urged the international community to provide swift relief. “This disaster requires urgent global attention. Many people are still buried under rubble, and immediate action can save lives,” said a spokesperson for an international relief agency.
Survivors Share Harrowing Experiences
Survivors of the earthquake have shared harrowing stories of their experiences. One resident of Mandalay recounted how their home collapsed while they were inside. “Everything shook violently, and suddenly, the walls began to crack.
I barely managed to escape with my children,” they said. Others described how entire villages were flattened, leaving communities in shock and mourning.
Families are frantically searching for missing loved ones, with many camping outside destroyed buildings in the hope of finding survivors. Relief workers are providing food, water, and medical aid, but supplies are running low.
Authorities in Myanmar and Thailand continue to assess the full extent of the damage. The United Nations and other international organizations are expected to provide further support in the coming days.
However, with infrastructure damaged and political challenges limiting government intervention, much of the rescue effort remains in the hands of local communities.
As the rescue mission continues, officials fear the death toll may rise further. The coming hours will be critical in determining the full extent of the destruction and the number of lives that can still be saved.
For those affected or with information about missing persons, authorities have provided emergency contact lines. Further updates will follow as new details emerge.
