A powerful magnitude-7.9 earthquake that struck Myanmar last Friday has left a trail of devastation, with rescue teams in the Mandalay region racing to save lives amid collapsed buildings and severed communication lines. Over 400 survivors have been pulled from the rubble so far, while the death toll has risen to 2,719 nationwide, officials confirmed Tuesday.
Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, bore the brunt of the destruction, with entire residential structures reduced to debris. Local and international rescue crews worked nonstop beyond the critical 72-hour window, recovering 259 bodies in the region alone. Despite fading hopes, teams continue to search remote towns and villages cut off by the disaster.
Thousands remain displaced, with hundreds sleeping outdoors for a fourth night due to destroyed homes or fear of aftershocks. Mandalay General Hospital relocated patients to its parking lot under makeshift tarpaulin shelters, illustrating the widespread anxiety. "Safe spaces are scarce — even intact homes feel like traps," an International Rescue Committee worker told Reuters, emphasizing urgent needs for tents, clean water, and medical aid.
The disaster’s ripple effects extended to Thailand, where 19 fatalities were reported. Myanmar’s government has declared a week of mourning, urging citizens to observe a nationwide moment of silence Tuesday afternoon.
As recovery efforts persist, authorities warn the toll may climb further, with monsoonal rains and logistical challenges complicating relief work.
