Insights into the Recent Earthquake in Myanmar: What Do We Know?
A powerful magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, leading to widespread devastation. The confirmed death toll has risen to 1,644, a significant increase from the earlier count of 1,002 announced just hours prior. Additionally,...
TroibNews 
A powerful magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, leading to widespread devastation.
The confirmed death toll has risen to 1,644, a significant increase from the earlier count of 1,002 announced just hours prior. Additionally, the number of injured now stands at 3,408, while 139 people remain missing following the quake.
The earthquake's epicenter was located approximately 20 kilometers from Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, which has a population of 1.5 million. In response to the disaster, the National Disaster Management Committee declared a state of emergency across multiple regions, including Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, northeastern Shan State, Nay Pyi Taw, and Bago.
Neighboring countries also felt the impact of the quake, which is recorded as the strongest of the year by the United States Geological Survey. Tremors were experienced in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and southwest China.
In Thailand, official reports indicated that 10 people died, with 42 others injured and 78 still unaccounted for in the capital, Bangkok. Following the earthquake, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared a state of emergency in Bangkok, where noticeable tremors were felt in northern provinces like Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son. Some tourist sites in the Pai District of Mae Hong Son experienced structural collapses.
Buildings taller than three stories in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, also felt significant shaking, with residents in high-rise structures reporting intense swaying.
Residents in high-rise buildings in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City, the southern hub, also experienced the tremors.
In southwest China's Yunnan Province, which borders Myanmar, strong tremors were felt. Ruili City, located around 300 km from the epicenter, reported two injuries and nine people rescued from a trapped elevator. The local government stated that 847 residences were damaged, affecting around 2,840 residents.
The earthquake triggered panic in several Bangladeshi cities, including Dhaka and Chattogram, where authorities have advised residents to remain vigilant for potential aftershocks.
The quake exacerbates an already severe humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, where nearly 20 million people require assistance, including over 3.5 million displaced individuals.
In response to the disaster, the international community has mobilized to assist Myanmar. The United Nations allocated $5 million for humanitarian efforts, while India dispatched 15 tonnes of relief supplies, including tents, blankets, and medical supplies. Aid and personnel contributions have also come from Russia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
A Chinese national rescue team consisting of 82 members, sent by the Chinese government at Myanmar's request, arrived at Yangon International Airport on Saturday afternoon, bringing rescue equipment and supplies on a chartered Air China flight. They departed from Beijing Capital International Airport that morning.
Moreover, China pledged 100 million yuan in emergency humanitarian aid for earthquake relief, as stated by a spokesperson from the China International Development Cooperation Agency.
On Saturday morning, 37 members of the Yunnan Rescue Medical Team reached Myanmar, equipped with emergency relief supplies, including life detectors, earthquake early-warning systems, portable satellite telecom devices, and drones, collaborating with Myanmar's fire and rescue services to assist in disaster relief efforts in Nay Pyi Taw. Earlier that day, Yunnan Province had sent an initial shipment of 80 tents and 290 blankets by air to aid those affected.
Aarav Patel contributed to this article for TROIB News
The confirmed death toll has risen to 1,644, a significant increase from the earlier count of 1,002 announced just hours prior. Additionally, the number of injured now stands at 3,408, while 139 people remain missing following the quake.
The earthquake's epicenter was located approximately 20 kilometers from Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, which has a population of 1.5 million. In response to the disaster, the National Disaster Management Committee declared a state of emergency across multiple regions, including Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, northeastern Shan State, Nay Pyi Taw, and Bago.
Neighboring countries also felt the impact of the quake, which is recorded as the strongest of the year by the United States Geological Survey. Tremors were experienced in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and southwest China.
In Thailand, official reports indicated that 10 people died, with 42 others injured and 78 still unaccounted for in the capital, Bangkok. Following the earthquake, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared a state of emergency in Bangkok, where noticeable tremors were felt in northern provinces like Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son. Some tourist sites in the Pai District of Mae Hong Son experienced structural collapses.
Buildings taller than three stories in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, also felt significant shaking, with residents in high-rise structures reporting intense swaying.
Residents in high-rise buildings in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City, the southern hub, also experienced the tremors.
In southwest China's Yunnan Province, which borders Myanmar, strong tremors were felt. Ruili City, located around 300 km from the epicenter, reported two injuries and nine people rescued from a trapped elevator. The local government stated that 847 residences were damaged, affecting around 2,840 residents.
The earthquake triggered panic in several Bangladeshi cities, including Dhaka and Chattogram, where authorities have advised residents to remain vigilant for potential aftershocks.
The quake exacerbates an already severe humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, where nearly 20 million people require assistance, including over 3.5 million displaced individuals.
In response to the disaster, the international community has mobilized to assist Myanmar. The United Nations allocated $5 million for humanitarian efforts, while India dispatched 15 tonnes of relief supplies, including tents, blankets, and medical supplies. Aid and personnel contributions have also come from Russia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
A Chinese national rescue team consisting of 82 members, sent by the Chinese government at Myanmar's request, arrived at Yangon International Airport on Saturday afternoon, bringing rescue equipment and supplies on a chartered Air China flight. They departed from Beijing Capital International Airport that morning.
Moreover, China pledged 100 million yuan in emergency humanitarian aid for earthquake relief, as stated by a spokesperson from the China International Development Cooperation Agency.
On Saturday morning, 37 members of the Yunnan Rescue Medical Team reached Myanmar, equipped with emergency relief supplies, including life detectors, earthquake early-warning systems, portable satellite telecom devices, and drones, collaborating with Myanmar's fire and rescue services to assist in disaster relief efforts in Nay Pyi Taw. Earlier that day, Yunnan Province had sent an initial shipment of 80 tents and 290 blankets by air to aid those affected.
Aarav Patel contributed to this article for TROIB News
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