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Myanmar quake death toll exceeds 1,600 as rescuers search for survivors

The 7.7-magnitude tremor on Friday also caused damage and deaths in neighbouring Thailand

The National

March 29, 2025

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The death toll in Myanmar from Friday's 7.7 magnitude earthquake has risen past 1,600, authorities said on Saturday as rescue efforts continued.

The quake that hit Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, killed at least 1,644 people and injured more than 3,400, while 139 were missing, the military government said.

The statement suggested the numbers could rise, saying “detailed figures are still being collected”.

The South-east Asian country is the midst of a protracted civil war that has created a humanitarian crisis that makes travel between areas difficult and dangerous, complicating relief efforts.

The earthquake struck at noon at a depth of 10km, north-west of the city of Sagaing in central Myanmar. It was followed by dozens of aftershocks, including a 6.4-magnitude tremor a few minutes later.

The tremors shook neighbouring Thailand, where an under-construction building collapsed in the capital, Bangkok. There were 77 aftershocks as of 6am on Saturday, according to the Thai Meteorological Department, although none was strongly felt in Thailand.

Bangkok authorities said 10 people were killed, 16 were injured and about 101 are missing at three building sites in the city, including a 30-storey building where more than 80 people were trapped under rubble.

A number of countries have responded to Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing's appeal for help.

A rescuer and earthmovers at work on the ruin of a building brought down by an earthquake in Bangkok, Thailand. Reuters
A rescuer and earthmovers at work on the ruin of a building brought down by an earthquake in Bangkok, Thailand. Reuters
A survivor of the earthquake in Bangkok asks rescuers about a relative believed to be trapped in their building. Reuters
A survivor of the earthquake in Bangkok asks rescuers about a relative believed to be trapped in their building. Reuters
A bridge that connects two high-rise buildings in the aftermath of Bangkok earthquake. Reuters
A bridge that connects two high-rise buildings in the aftermath of Bangkok earthquake. Reuters
A security guard patrols a high-rise residential building in Bangkok after the March 28 earthquake that hit central Myanmar and Thailand. More than 150 people are feared to have been killed. AFP
A security guard patrols a high-rise residential building in Bangkok after the March 28 earthquake that hit central Myanmar and Thailand. More than 150 people are feared to have been killed. AFP
A drone with thermal imaging equipment is used to search for survivors at an under-construction building collapse in Bangkok on March 29, 2025, a day after an earthquake struck central Myanmar and Thailand. AFP
A drone with thermal imaging equipment is used to search for survivors at an under-construction building collapse in Bangkok on March 29, 2025, a day after an earthquake struck central Myanmar and Thailand. AFP
Earthquake damage to a road in Kyaukse district, central Myanmar. AFP
Earthquake damage to a road in Kyaukse district, central Myanmar. AFP
Members of the public await news of rescue operations at the site of the Chatuchak skyscraper collapse in Bangkok, Thailand, in the aftermath of the 7.3 magnitude earthquake. Getty Images
Members of the public await news of rescue operations at the site of the Chatuchak skyscraper collapse in Bangkok, Thailand, in the aftermath of the 7.3 magnitude earthquake. Getty Images
A makeshift medical treatment area is set up in the canteen of a hospital in Bangkok on March 29, a day after an earthquake struck central Myanmar and Thailand. AFP
A makeshift medical treatment area is set up in the canteen of a hospital in Bangkok on March 29, a day after an earthquake struck central Myanmar and Thailand. AFP
The Maha Myat Muni Pagoda collapsed in the earthquake that shook Mandalay, Myanmar, on Friday March. The shock there reached 7.7-magnitude, according to state media. EPA
The Maha Myat Muni Pagoda collapsed in the earthquake that shook Mandalay, Myanmar, on Friday March. The shock there reached 7.7-magnitude, according to state media. EPA
Part of a building site in Bangkok, Thailand, was reduced to rubble. AFP
Part of a building site in Bangkok, Thailand, was reduced to rubble. AFP
A damaged pagoda in Mandalay, central Myanmar, on March 29, 2025, a day after the earthquake. AFP
A damaged pagoda in Mandalay, central Myanmar, on March 29, 2025, a day after the earthquake. AFP

India sent a search-and-rescue team and a medical team as well as provisions, while Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry said the country would send 50 people to help identify victims and provide aid to the worst-hit areas.

The United Nations allocated $5 million to start relief efforts. US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Washington would help with the response, but some experts expressed concerned over this offer, given his administration’s deep cuts in foreign aid.

Cuts to the United States Agency for International Development have already forced the UN and non-governmental organisations to close programmes in Myanmar.

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