Myanmar death toll jumps to 694 after strong earthquake
Topic:Earthquakes
10m ago10 minutes agoSat 29 Mar 2025 at 4:01am
The death toll in Myanmar from a strong earthquake has risen to 694, with 1,670 people injured, state media has reported, citing a statement from the ruling military.
It said that the isolated military junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing, had ordered a prompt rescue effort in affected regions.
Friday's magnitude-7.7 quake shook the region, with neighbouring Thailand continuing rescue efforts after a 30-storey construction site collapsed, killing at least three people and trapping dozens of others under the rubble.
Mr Hlaing said the main earthquake was followed by three aftershocks, according to the state-owned New Light of Myanmar.
"The number of casualties is expected to rise further," he said in an address to the nation, "In some areas, buildings have collapsed, and we are still carrying out rescue operations in those locations.
"I have declared a state of emergency in all affected areas and have opened all possible channels to receive international assistance.
"Infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings were affected, leading to casualties and injuries among civilians. Search and rescue operations are currently being carried out in the affected areas."
The United States Geological Service's (USGS) predictive modelling estimated the death toll could exceed 10,000 people in Myanmar and that losses could be greater than the value of the country's gross domestic product.
Susan Hough, a scientist in the USGS's Earthquake Hazards Program, told Reuters it was difficult to predict an earthquake's death toll for various reasons, including timing.
When an earthquake strikes during the daytime, as it did in Myanmar, "people are awake, they have their wits about them, they are better able to respond," she said.
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Posted10m ago10 minutes agoSat 29 Mar 2025 at 4:01am, updated10m ago10 minutes agoSat 29 Mar 2025 at 4:01am
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