An earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter Scale struck Myanmar at 8:57 PM (IST) on April 1, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS).
Hope fading for more survivors as relief efforts struggle
Rescue workers in Myanmar pulled a 63-year-old woman from the rubble on Tuesday, 91 hours after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck the country's capital. However, hopes of finding more survivors are dimming as the confirmed death toll surpasses 2,700, adding to an already dire humanitarian crisis caused by ongoing civil conflict.
Death toll expected to rise
Myanmar's military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, announced at a relief forum that the earthquake had left 2,719 dead, 4,521 injured, and 441 missing, according to state-run MRTV. He described it as the country’s second most powerful earthquake in recorded history, after the 1912 Mandalay quake.
While rescue operations are ongoing, many areas remain without power and communication, making it difficult to assess the full scale of devastation. The worst-hit regions include Mandalay and Naypyitaw, where thousands of buildings have collapsed.
"The needs are massive, and they are rising by the hour," said Julia Rees, UNICEF’s deputy representative for Myanmar.
Massive structural damage and Buddhist monastery tragedy
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 10,000 buildings have been either destroyed or severely damaged. Among the most tragic incidents, at least 50 Buddhist monks were killed when a monastery collapsed during a religious exam. Officials fear that 150 more remain buried under the debris.
Foreign aid arrives, but relief efforts face delays
International rescue teams from China, India, Russia, the UAE, and Southeast Asian nations have arrived in Myanmar to assist in search-and-rescue efforts. However, a shortage of heavy machinery is slowing progress.
A Chinese rescue team managed to pull four survivors, including a 5-year-old child and a pregnant woman, from an apartment building after they were trapped for over 60 hours.
Meanwhile, a US disaster assessment team arrived on Tuesday to evaluate how best to respond, following Washington’s decision to provide USD 2 million in emergency assistance. However, logistical challenges—including visa delays—have hampered the relief process.
