Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Surpasses 2,000: ‘Dire Situation Unfolds
Over 3,900 Injured as 7.7-Magnitude Quake Devastates Myanmar
Myanmar Eathquake Death Toll Surpasses 2,000: ‘Dire Situation Unfolds
Over 3,900 Injured as 7.7-Magnitude Quake Devastates Myanmar
The death toll of the catastrophic earthquake in Myanmar rose to 2,056, with the military that took power of the country telling the public of this fact on Monday. Besides over 3,900 people that got hurt in the aftermath of the terrible shaking that was felt three days ago, a spokesman for the military said that 270 persons are still unaccounted for.
Associated Press has reported a statement from junta’s spokesperson, according to which, 270 people are still missing. In response to the catastrophe, the administration has trauma support services available and observance of a national day of mourning over a period of seven days (the national flag will be flown at half-staff until April 6) “for the loss of life and damage occurred.” This left thousands of people homeless and, in addition to that, it forced those who were not injured to stay in a residential area that is now considered uninhabitable. The announcement was made during the rescue operation in Mandalay, which was one of the most affected towns with a population of over 1.7 million, the second most populous city in Myanmar.
‘Situation is Dire’
“It is quite impossible for the current situation to be captured verbally: The magnitude of the situation is so great,” Stated Aung Myint Hussein, the mayor of Mandalay’s North mosque while talking to AFP.
Thousands Left Homeless, Forced to Camp on Streets
The AFP report described how people from Mandalay spent the last three days sitting on the streets at night. Some were lying by the block of their homes which they could not go into since they feared its collapse for the tremors that were quite frequent, while others had tents to sleep in, some people, inclusive of many children, had to lie on the ground wearing blankets since they could not find safer buildings to shelter them from a fall in the continuous shocks.
Foreign Nationals Among the Dead
CNN reporter, quoting another CNN reporter, who has interviewed an American man who was working in the Mandalay region at the time of the earthquake, reported that his name was Craig and he revealed that he neither panicked nor realized why buildings were swaying. He simply stood up and tried to walk out of the hotel where he was found unconscious on the floor of his room.
The French foreign ministry did not comment while Chinese state media confirmed three casualties. Actual figures available are not accurate as the disaster brought down most of the communication network in all parts of the country. Authorities now fear that there might be more people dying in the coming days.
Widespread Damage Across the Region
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake opened crevices in roads and brought down buildings while also releasing shock waves to neighboring China, Thailand, Vietnam, and some parts of India. About 19 people are confirmed to have been killed when a 30-story tower block that was under construction collapsed in Bangkok, Thailand, the capital. Rescue efforts continue as authorities and humanitarian agencies rush to assist those affected by one of the deadliest quakes to hit the region in recent years.
