Myanmar's urgent plea: Quake devastates Mandalay region
Military leaders of Myanmar (formerly Burma) reported that Friday's powerful earthquake resulted in the death of 694 people and left 1,670 injured, according to the BBC. The region was struck by a massive tremor measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale. These figures pertain only to the Mandalay region in the central part of the country, CNN notes.
What do you need to know?
- The 7.7 magnitude earthquake had its epicentre in Myanmar (Burma), but the tremors were also felt in Thailand, India, and China.
- The military junta has made a rare request for international humanitarian aid.
- A state of emergency has been declared in the six most affected regions: Sikong, Mandalay, Magwe, the northeastern Shan state, Naypyidaw, and Bago.
The statement notes that roads, bridges, and buildings have suffered major damage, resulting in civilian deaths and injuries. Search and rescue efforts are currently ongoing in the impacted regions.
The city of Mandalay, the second largest city in Burma, was the most severely damaged as it was closest to the epicentre.
Number of victims may be much higher
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), thousands of fatalities and significant economic losses can be expected in Burma. "There will likely be a large number of fatalities and extensive damage; the disaster will likely have a wide-reaching impact" — the analysis noted.
Earthquake. WHO activates crisis management system
Organizations Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have urged the ruling junta in Burma to allow access for humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, the Red Cross expressed concerns about the condition of major dams.
"Public infrastructure has been damaged, including roads, bridges and public buildings. We currently have concerns for large-scale dams that people are watching to see the conditions of them," said Marie Manrique from the Red Cross, who is in Yangon.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that it is preparing medical supplies and has initiated its crisis management system, mobilizing its logistics centre in Dubai to ready supplies for treating injuries.
Zin Mar Aung, the chief diplomat of the opposition government in exile, said that militias opposed to the junta, known as the people's defence forces, will provide humanitarian aid to all in need.
"It's very serious, we need humanitarian and technical assistance from the international community," said Zin Mar Aung.
She emphasized that a significant challenge is communication, mainly the internet restrictions imposed by the junta in the earthquake-affected area.
Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand
On Friday, Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand were struck by a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake. The earthquake, with its epicentre near Mandalay, Burma's second largest city, occurred at noon Eastern Time and was followed by a strong aftershock measuring 6.4.
According to the Beijing earthquake agency, the tremors were also felt in the southwestern province of Yunnan, China.
