A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Southeast Asia on Friday, leaving a trail of devastation in Myanmar and neighboring countries. By Saturday, the confirmed death toll had surged to 1,600 in Myanmar alone, with experts warning that the true number of fatalities could climb as high as 10,000.
Widespread Destruction and Desperate Search Efforts
The quake, which struck around midday, reduced buildings and bridges to rubble. Rescue teams from multiple countries poured into Myanmar on Saturday, working tirelessly to locate survivors trapped beneath collapsed structures.
Htet Min Oo, a 25-year-old resident of Mandalay, recounted his harrowing experience of being pulled from the wreckage of a fallen wall by fellow survivors. Despite his desperate attempts to locate his grandmother and uncles in the debris, he was ultimately forced to abandon his search.
“I don’t know if they are still alive under the debris,” he said, his voice breaking. “After so long, I don’t think there’s any hope.”
Disaster Spreads Beyond Myanmar
The earthquake’s impact was felt far beyond Myanmar’s borders. In Bangkok, Thailand—nearly 600 miles from the epicenter—a high-rise building collapsed, trapping dozens of construction workers. On Saturday, rescue teams deployed drones, sniffer dogs, and heavy machinery in a frantic effort to locate at least 47 missing individuals, including many Myanmar nationals.
Despite the devastation, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed optimism. “We always have hope,” he assured reporters. “We’re still working around the clock.”
Myanmar Faces Humanitarian Crisis
As the crisis deepened on Saturday, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) painted a grim picture of conditions in Myanmar. Hospitals are overwhelmed with injured victims, while critical infrastructure—including medical facilities, power grids, and communication networks—has sustained severe damage.
The agency reported that thousands of displaced residents were sleeping in the open, fearing aftershocks or lacking habitable shelter. Water and electricity shortages, coupled with a disrupted telecommunications network, have exacerbated the suffering of survivors.
Death Toll Expected to Climb
Myanmar’s military government confirmed on Saturday that at least 1,644 people had perished in the disaster, with nine additional deaths reported in Thailand. However, projections from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) suggest the actual toll could be far higher, potentially exceeding 10,000.
USGS experts warned that much of Myanmar’s population resides in structures highly vulnerable to earthquake damage, amplifying the risk of casualties. Their assessments also indicate that the financial cost of the disaster may surpass the country’s annual economic output.
“High casualties and extensive damage are probable, and the disaster is likely widespread,” the USGS stated.
International Aid and Relief Efforts
Rescue and humanitarian assistance efforts ramped up over the weekend, with hundreds of international personnel arriving in Myanmar to aid in recovery operations. However, damaged roadways have hindered the delivery of crucial supplies.
A key transport artery, the Yangon-Nay Pyi Taw-Mandalay expressway, sustained significant damage, with large cracks and surface distortions forcing a halt in bus operations, according to OCHA.
Several nations, including Russia, Malaysia, India, China, and Singapore, have pledged aid and manpower to support Myanmar’s recovery. In a statement, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China would provide $13.77 million in relief, including emergency medical kits, tents, and blankets.
Despite past tensions between Washington and Myanmar, former U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that the U.S. would contribute to recovery efforts. “We’re going to be helping,” he said on Friday. “We’ve already spoken with the country.”
The Road to Recovery
As search and rescue operations continue, the full scale of the disaster is only beginning to emerge. With thousands still unaccounted for and critical infrastructure in ruins, Myanmar faces a long and challenging path to recovery. Rescue teams remain on the ground, holding onto the hope of finding survivors amid the devastation.
Keep up with Myanmar’s recovery from the earthquake with us on Que Onda Magazine.