The death toll from the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar has climbed past 1,700, with more bodies being recovered from the rubble, the country’s military-led government confirmed on Monday. More than 3,400 people have been injured, and over 300 remain missing.
The powerful quake hit on Friday at midday, causing widespread destruction across the country, including in the capital Naypyitaw and Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay. The tragedy coincided with Friday prayers during the holy month of Ramzan, with at least 700 Muslim worshippers killed as mosques collapsed, according to Tun Kyi, a member of the Spring Revolution Myanmar Muslim Network. Reports suggest that around 60 mosques were damaged or destroyed.
The full scale of the disaster remains unclear due to telecommunication breakdowns and restricted movement in affected areas. Lauren Ellery from the International Rescue Committee stated that some regions might be facing far worse devastation than currently reported. A town near Mandalay reportedly saw 80% of its buildings collapse, yet the extent of the damage remains largely unreported due to connectivity issues.
Myanmar’s military government has declared a state of emergency in six regions, with rescue efforts severely hampered by a lack of heavy machinery and scorching temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F). Desperate volunteers and emergency teams are left to dig through the rubble by hand in a frantic search for survivors.
The earthquake also sent tremors through neighboring Thailand, where at least 18 people were killed—many at a Bangkok construction site where an unfinished high-rise collapsed. Thirty-three others were injured, and 78 remain missing. Rescuers in Bangkok have been using specialized equipment to detect signs of life beneath the rubble, but progress has been slow.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt remains hopeful, stating, “Even if one life is saved, it is worth all the effort.”
As the death toll rises and relief efforts struggle, the humanitarian crisis deepens, leaving thousands in urgent need of aid and assistance.
