The death toll from an earthquake in Myanmar surpassed 1,000 on Saturday as the country’s military government declared a state of emergency and sought blood donations. According to Myanmar state media, the junta reported that 1,002 individuals had lost their lives, with 2,376 injured and 30 missing. These numbers are expected to increase. The earthquake also resulted in at least six fatalities in Thailand, where more than 100 people remained unaccounted for following a building collapse in Bangkok.
The epicenter of the 7.7-magnitude quake was located approximately 20 kilometers outside Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city, at a depth of 10 kilometers. This was followed by two dozen aftershocks, including one measuring 6.4 in magnitude, occurring 12 minutes later.
Junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing expressed concerns that the number of casualties would continue to rise, noting that some buildings had collapsed and rescue operations were ongoing. He called for extensive support for these rescue efforts.
During a media briefing, President Donald Trump described the earthquake as “terrible” and stated that the United States would assist Myanmar, though he did not provide specific details. On the same day, the U.S. State Department informed Congress of its intent to close the U.S. Agency for International Development, which typically plays a critical role in disaster relief.
Support was also extended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while the UN allocated $5 million and the EU €2.5 million for immediate relief efforts. South Korea committed $2 million in aid through international agencies.
The earthquake, the strongest in the region since the 2023 quake in Turkey and Syria, affected neighboring areas including China’s Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. The U.S. Geological Survey projected the death toll in Myanmar could potentially exceed 10,000, estimating extensive damage and impact throughout the affected areas. Economic losses might surpass Myanmar’s GDP of $66.76 billion, as reported by the World Bank in 2023.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the UN was mobilizing assistance for the affected regions, especially Myanmar, which was described as being particularly vulnerable. Destruction was widespread in Mandalay, Myanmar’s historic capital, with damages to temples, the royal palace, and infrastructure.
China responded by sending emergency aid valued at Rmb100 million ($14 million) and dispatched rescue teams from Beijing and Yunnan province. The Chinese foreign ministry reported no fatalities among Chinese citizens. Russia also sent two planes carrying rescue and medical personnel to assist.
This disaster occurred against the backdrop of Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict since a 2021 coup displaced the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Northern parts of the country, near the earthquake’s epicenter, have been severely affected by conflict between the military and pro-democracy as well as ethnic minority groups, leaving approximately 3.5 million people internally displaced.
The military government’s control over information dissemination has restricted media access and, along with international sanctions, has isolated the country economically. Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite network, announced plans to provide communication aid pending government approval, although the system is not officially licensed in Myanmar.
There are growing concerns about access for humanitarian relief, particularly as the Myanmar military has previously restricted international aid following disasters. Médecins Sans Frontières in Myanmar highlighted significant challenges in obtaining information and reaching those in urgent need due to communication blackouts in heavily affected areas.
In Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, normalcy began to return on Saturday morning with businesses reopening and transport services resuming, although a 33-storey building collapse posed significant challenges, trapping workers inside. A local resident, Nattanan, was seeking news of his father who worked at the site, expressing a sense of hope amid the uncertainty.
