Rescue efforts continue in central Myanmar following a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake on March 28, which killed over 1,700 people and caused widespread destruction.
The quake, followed by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock, left buildings, hospitals, roads, and power supplies in ruins.
Local volunteers, many poorly equipped, are working tirelessly to find survivors in the rubble, but access remains difficult due to damaged infrastructure.
In Sagaing, rescue teams are struggling to recover bodies, with reports of up to 100 still trapped in collapsed buildings.
The death toll in neighbouring Thailand stands at at least 18, with ongoing search efforts at a collapsed construction site in Bangkok.
Myanmar’s ruling junta confirmed at least 1,700 deaths and over 3,400 injuries, with many more missing. The scale of the devastation is expected to take days to fully assess.
Experts predict the death toll could surpass 10,000, with losses potentially exceeding Myanmar’s annual economic output.
In the wake of the disaster, the US pledged $2 million in aid, while China, Russia, India, and several Southeast Asian nations have sent rescue teams and supplies.
The news and images from Myanmar and Thailand are heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the earthquake. On behalf of all Greeks, I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims.
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) March 28, 2025
Despite international help, aid delivery is complicated by the ongoing conflict in Myanmar, where the military junta is battling opposition groups.
The National Unity Government, set up to oppose the junta, declared a two-week ceasefire in quake-hit regions and is coordinating with UN and NGOs to provide relief.
The earthquake adds to Myanmar’s ongoing humanitarian crisis, exacerbating food insecurity, displacement, and healthcare shortages.
Local reports indicate a severe lack of government assistance in some areas, with many communities left to manage without outside help.
Global leaders, including Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and President Konstantinos Tasoulas, expressed their condolences, with Mitsotakis offering heartfelt sympathies to those affected by the disaster.
“The news and images from Myanmar and Thailand are heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the earthquake. On behalf of all Greeks, I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims,” Mitsotakis wrote on X.
Tasoulas similarly extended well wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured, and the hope that damage would be restored quickly.
Source: Guardian.
