Myanmar earthquake death toll surpasses 1,000 as rescue efforts continue

A massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Saturday, leaving a trail of devastation and pushing the death toll beyond 1,000.

The quake, followed by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock, caused widespread destruction across Myanmar and parts of Thailand, with rescue teams scrambling to find survivors.

The epicenter was northwest of Sagaing city, but the tremors devastated Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, home to 1.7 million people.

According to US geologists, the earthquake was the most powerful in over a century. Buildings collapsed, bridges crumbled, and roads buckled.

At least 1,002 deaths and 2,400 injuries in Myanmar, according to the ruling junta.

At least 10 deaths reported in Bangkok, where the tremors were strong enough to damage buildings.

With communications disrupted and infrastructure damaged, authorities fear the death toll will rise further.

Read more: Over 144 people killed as earthquakes hit Myanmar, Bangkok

In Mandalay, a centuries-old Buddhist pagoda was reduced to rubble. A soldier at a checkpoint near the site described the terrifying moment:

“It started shaking, then it got worse. The monastery collapsed. One monk died. Some people were injured, we pulled them out and took them to the hospital.”

The main Buddha statue inside the monastery was severely damaged, with its head falling off, later placed at its feet.

At Mandalay Airport, journalists were turned away as officials confirmed its closure due to a collapsed ceiling.

Though no injuries were reported, the damage could complicate relief efforts in a country already struggling with civil war and a weakened healthcare system since the 2021 military coup.