Myanmar Earthquake: Rescuers Use Bare Hands as Death Toll Surpasses 1,600
Survivors desperately search through rubble as aid delays prolong suffering
A catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake has devastated central Myanmar, leaving over 1,600 dead and thousands injured, with survivors scrambling to rescue those trapped beneath collapsed buildings. The tremors, also felt in Thailand and southwest China, have caused widespread destruction, straining an already fragile nation amid political turmoil and conflict.
Race Against Time: Rescuers Struggle Without Machinery
In Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, survivors and volunteers are using bare hands to dig through the rubble, searching for missing loved ones. Htet Min Oo, 25, recounted his harrowing escape from a collapsed building, only to find his grandmother and uncles still trapped beneath the wreckage.
“There’s too much rubble, and no rescue teams have come for us,” he said, breaking into tears.
The military junta, which seized power in 2021, has made a rare international appeal for aid. However, rights groups fear assistance may be blocked from reaching affected regions controlled by opposition forces.
Devastation Across Borders: Buildings Collapse in Thailand
The earthquake’s epicenter was 16km northwest of Sagaing, with aftershocks of 6.4 magnitude hitting shortly after. Reports confirm 1,591 homes damaged in Mandalay alone, while in Bangkok, Thailand, an unfinished high-rise collapsed, leaving six dead and 50 workers missing.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnweerakul stated, “We always have hope. We work tirelessly to ensure everyone is safe.”
Rescue teams in Thailand reported at least 15 people alive but trapped deep beneath the rubble, making their retrieval an urgent challenge.
Myanmar’s Humanitarian Crisis Worsens
Myanmar has been in a state of crisis since the military coup, with millions displaced and basic infrastructure collapsing under conflict and economic turmoil. The United Nations has previously labeled the country’s situation as a “polycrisis”, with widespread electricity shortages, cholera outbreaks, and civil war exacerbating the already dire humanitarian landscape.
“Myanmar simply cannot afford another disaster,” said Sheela Matthew, World Food Program deputy country director.
International rescue teams from Russia, China, Singapore, and India are expected to arrive, yet concerns grow over the junta’s history of obstructing aid. The UN Special Rapporteur, Thomas Andrews, warned that Myanmar’s military has “weaponized aid” in past disasters, blocking relief efforts to opposition-controlled areas.
Crisis Communication Breakdown
Verifying information from Myanmar remains difficult due to government control over media, restricted internet access, and communication blackouts. Survivors have turned to social media for urgent requests.
One desperate resident wrote on Facebook, “We need to rent a crane to remove heavy concrete blocks. If anyone can help, please contact us.”
Meanwhile, military airstrikes and drone attacks continued in Karen state, where ethnic armed groups hold significant territory. With young men forced into military conscription, rescue operations are further strained.
Earthquake Science: Why Was This Disaster So Deadly?
Shallow earthquakes, like this one at 10km depth, tend to cause more surface damage, shaking buildings violently and increasing casualties. Experts compare the impact to past seismic disasters, such as the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake (9.1 magnitude) that killed 228,000 people.
Travel Warnings Issued for Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos
Governments have issued travel advisories, warning of potential aftershocks and security risks. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has cautioned against non-essential travel, citing Myanmar’s deteriorating situation and ongoing conflicts in Thailand and Laos.
The World Watches as Myanmar Struggles to Recover
With over 3,400 injured and 139 missing, Myanmar faces one of its worst natural disasters amid political chaos and humanitarian collapse. While international aid is promised, the question remains: Will help reach those who need it most, or will politics and conflict leave them buried under the rubble?
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