International Desk //

The death toll from the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar has exceeded 2,000. More than 3,400 people have been injured and more than 200 are still missing.

In such a tragic situation, the country’s military government has declared seven days of national mourning from Monday. The national flag will be flown at half-mast during this time, state broadcaster MRTV reported.

Three days after a powerful earthquake struck Southeast Asia last Friday, the search for survivors has been intensified in Myanmar and Thailand.

The news agency Reuters reported that the death toll in Myanmar has already exceeded 2,000 and the death toll in Thailand has risen to 19.

Rescue operation in Myanmar

Meanwhile, four people were rescued alive from the rubble of the Myanmar city of Mandalay on Monday. Including a pregnant woman and a child.

Chinese rescuers were also able to pull one person out wrapped in a thermal blanket.

Drone footage showed a large building collapsing in layers.

Myanmar’s ongoing civil war has made it difficult to reach many affected areas. Rebel groups have complained that the military is continuing airstrikes even after the earthquake.

Singapore’s foreign minister has called for an immediate ceasefire in Myanmar so that relief efforts can be carried out without disruption.

Rescue operations in Thailand

Meanwhile, another body was recovered from the rubble of a multi-storey building that collapsed in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday. 75 people are still missing in the building collapse.

Rescue dog squads and scanning machines are searching for the missing.

Bangkok’s deputy governor said that the chances of finding survivors decrease after 72 hours. Therefore, the operation is being accelerated.

Death toll expected to rise

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported that the death toll in Myanmar has already exceeded 2,028. The opposition National Unity Government (NUG) claimed that the death toll has reached 2,418.

Chinese state media reported that three Chinese citizens were among the dead.

Relief and international aid

Meanwhile, the Anadolu news agency reported that Myanmar’s military ruler General Min Aung Hlaing spoke with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim by phone on Sunday. The two leaders discussed earthquake damage, rescue and relief efforts.

In addition, many countries, including Russia, India, China, Bangladesh, Thailand, the United Nations, and the United Arab Emirates, have sent rescue teams and humanitarian aid to Myanmar.

The United Nations said that they are rapidly providing relief aid. The United States has announced $2 million in humanitarian aid and a USAID team is being sent to Myanmar.

Earthquake and ongoing crisis

The ongoing civil war in Myanmar since the 2021 military coup has posed major challenges to relief distribution. The country’s critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and airports, has been severely damaged. More than 3.5 million people have been displaced and the health system has collapsed.

Rescuers’ pledge

Meanwhile, Yue Xin, head of the Chinese rescue team, said, “It’s not important how long we work, it’s important whether we can light a ray of hope for the local people.”

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