March 30, 2025 | Updated 08:00 GMT
A catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake has left Myanmar reeling, with the death toll exceeding 1,600 and thousands more injured or missing. The quake, which struck near Mandalay on March 28, has compounded the humanitarian crisis in a nation already ravaged by civil war, exposing systemic vulnerabilities in infrastructure and disaster response.
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The Disaster by the Numbers
1. Human Toll:
- 1,644 confirmed dead (per military state TV), with 3,408 injured and 139 missing.
- 10 fatalities in Bangkok, where a 30-story construction site collapsed, trapping 78 workers.
2. Geographic Impact:
- Epicenter 10 miles from Sagaing, near Mandalay (population 1.3 million) .
- Felt across Thailand, China, and India, with aftershocks up to 6.4 magnitude.
3. Infrastructure Damage:
- Naypyitaw International Airport’s control tower sheared off its base, disrupting aid flights.
- Sagaing Bridge destroyed, severing a critical transport link.
- Dam burst and roads buckled, isolating rural communities.
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Rescue Efforts Amid Chaos
Challenges:
- Airport Damage: Heavy equipment and aid delayed as runways remain unusable .
- Communication Blackouts: Internet and phone lines down in Mandalay, Sagaing, and Shan State .
- Civil War Complications: Military airstrikes continued post-quake in Kayin and Shan states, hindering relief .
International Response:
- China: Deployed 135 rescuers and pledged $13.8 million in aid.
- Russia: Sent 120 emergency personnel.
- U.S. and U.N.: Pledged support, though logistical hurdles persist.
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Survivors’ Stories
Chit Thae Thae Zaw, a university student in Mandalay, described fleeing her dormitory as walls crumbled:
"I thought, ‘Am I going to survive?’ The streets were covered in dust, and people slept outside, terrified of aftershocks".
Naruemol Thonglek, awaiting news of six missing relatives in Bangkok, wept:
"Where could they be? In which corner? I pray they’re alive".
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READ ALSO: Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Surpasses 1,000 in Worst Disaster in Decades
Why This Quake Was So Devastating
1. Shallow Epicenter: Just 10km deep, amplifying destruction .
2. Poor Construction: Unreinforced brick and timber buildings collapsed en masse .
3. Pre-Existing Crises: Civil war had already displaced 3 million people and weakened infrastructure .
Seismologist Brian Baptie noted:
"Over a million people live in vulnerable buildings here. The consequences were predictable" .
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Political Fallout
The military junta, which seized power in 2021, faces scrutiny over its delayed aid distribution and ongoing conflict. Despite declaring a rare openness to international help, attacks on rebel zones persisted post-quake .
Dave Eubank of Free Burma Rangers reported:
"The military bombed Karenni villages minutes after the quake. Their priority isn’t relief".
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What’s Next?
- Aid Coordination: U.N. allocated $5 million, but reaching remote areas remains fraught .
- Long-Term Risks: Disease outbreaks loom as survivors lack clean water and shelter .
- Global Implications: Highlights the need for earthquake-resistant infrastructure in conflict zones .
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Sources:
- AP News
- NPR
- PBS NewsHour
