BANGKOK – The devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar last week has claimed the lives of over 2,000 people, according to state media reports released on Monday. Heartbreaking stories have emerged, such as 200 Buddhist monks trapped under a collapsed monastery, 50 children dead from a fallen preschool classroom, and 700 Muslims caught under collapsing mosques during Ramadan prayers.
The massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake, centered near Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay, severely disrupted infrastructure. The quake damaged the city’s airport, twisted roads, and brought hundreds of buildings to the ground across a wide central stretch of the country.
Efforts to provide relief have faced multiple challenges. Power outages, fuel shortages, and unreliable communication networks have slowed rescue operations, further complicated by a shortage of heavy machinery. Many rescue workers are forced to search the rubble by hand in the searing daytime heat, with temperatures rising above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
In Mandalay’s demolished U Hla Thein monastery, rescue workers are still locating approximately 150 deceased monks. Tragically, Friday prayer sessions turned fatal as around 700 Muslim worshippers were killed in mosques’ collapse, according to Tun Kyi from the Spring Revolution Myanmar Muslim Network. Over 60 mosques suffered damage or were destroyed.
Reports suggest these figures might not yet be reflected in the official toll announced by state MRTV, citing military leader Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing. He reported to Pakistan’s Prime Minister that the confirmed casualties reached 2,065, with over 3,900 injured and roughly 270 missing. These figures are anticipated to climb significantly as access to remote regions, where communication is hindered, improves.
Addressing the humanitarian crisis, the United Nations emphasized the imperative need for unrestricted aid access. “Before this disaster, nearly 20 million in Myanmar already needed humanitarian support,” stated Marcoluigi Corsi, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator.
The extent of the devastation remains uncertain, as reports from organizations like the International Rescue Committee indicate whole towns devastated, like one near Mandalay, reportedly having 80% of its structures collapsed. Landslides have rendered some areas inaccessible.
Health concerns are critical with reports of three hospitals completely destroyed and 22 more partially damaged, according to the World Health Organization. There is an immediate requirement for medical supplies, trauma care, and mental health services.
Over 10,000 buildings have suffered either total collapse or severe damage in central and northwestern Myanmar; one preschool collapse in Mandalay killed 50 children and two teachers, as per the UN humanitarian agency.
Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict further complicates rescue operations. The 2021 military coup, displacing over 3 million people through continuous armed conflict, poses significant barriers for aid groups attempting to navigate tense and dangerous areas.
The recent earthquake’s impact is compounded by previous natural disasters; the hardest-hit areas had faced severe flooding last year, forcing displaced individuals to seek refuge there. With many fearing aftershocks or dealing with destroyed homes, they have resorted to sleeping outdoors. The onset of monsoon rains in May amplifies the urgency for shelter.
Various countries have dispatched international aid teams to assist, including those from Russia, China, India, and several Southeast Asian nations. An Indian rescue team has been active in Mandalay, working to excavate bodies trapped under concrete.
Nations such as the European Union, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea have pledged millions in aid, while despite budget cuts, USAID committed support through the local organizations in Myanmar.
In Bangkok, where casualties include at least 18 deaths, predominantly from a construction site collapse near Chatuchak market, search efforts continue. Authorities paused heavy equipment use to listen for signs of life using sophisticated machinery. Relatives of the missing remain hopeful, even with low odds of survival.