MANDALAY, March 31: Rescue efforts are underway in Myanmar after a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the country, killing at least 1,700 people and causing widespread destruction. The quake, which was felt as far away as Bangkok and parts of China, has left many more injured or trapped under rubble, with authorities reporting around 3,400 injured and nearly 300 others still missing.

According to Myanmar’s military government, the confirmed death toll stands at 1,700, but the final toll could exceed 10,000, according to early estimates by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The epicenter of the earthquake was located in Myanmar’s central Sagaing region, near the historic city of Mandalay. The region, home to over 1.5 million people, has been severely affected, with multiple buildings, bridges, and temples either destroyed or severely damaged. The earthquake has caused significant disruption, especially in the Sagaing region and surrounding areas.

The earthquake also had a devastating impact in Bangkok, where at least 18 people were killed, and dozens more trapped under the rubble of a collapsed high-rise building. The building, which was under construction, came crashing down within minutes, claiming 11 lives. Authorities reported seven additional fatalities elsewhere in the capital, and search and rescue operations are ongoing, with around 80 people still missing. Families of the missing have gathered at the site, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones.

This earthquake, the most powerful to hit Myanmar in over a century, was followed by several aftershocks, including a 6.7-magnitude tremor, which continued to shake the region throughout the weekend. Rescue teams are racing against time to reach those affected, particularly in areas isolated by the collapse of a critical bridge over the Irrawaddy River. With many still unaccounted for, experts fear that the true death toll may take weeks to emerge.

International aid and rescue teams have started arriving in Myanmar, as the military junta issued a rare plea for assistance. The earthquake, the deadliest natural disaster to strike Myanmar in years, comes at a time when the country is already grappling with an ongoing civil war. Since 2021, the conflict has damaged communication networks, disrupted health infrastructure, and left millions without adequate food and shelter.

According to an official from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the devastation from the earthquake is unlike anything seen in over a century. Marie Manrique, Myanmar program coordinator for the IFRC, stated that the impact of the disaster will be felt for weeks to come, with the number of deaths and injuries expected to rise as more people are pulled from the debris.