Myanmar Earthquake: Death Toll Continues to Rise Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts

In Myanmar, the aftermath of a devastating earthquake continues to unfold as authorities report a rising death toll five days after the disaster struck. The ruling military junta has confirmed the discovery of 2,886 bodies, with more than 4,600 individuals injured and approximately 370 still unaccounted for. The junta's leader, Min Aung Hlaing, indicated that the chances of finding survivors among the missing are diminishing.

Despite the grim outlook, there have been instances of survival. A 26-year-old man was rescued alive from the debris of a hotel, thanks in part to the efforts of Turkish rescue teams. Earlier, an elderly woman was found alive after being trapped for over 90 hours beneath the rubble of a collapsed building.

However, humanitarian organizations warn that the number of missing individuals could be significantly higher than official estimates suggest. Ongoing conflict, communication failures, and restricted access to certain areas have hindered comprehensive assessments of the damage and medical needs. Médecins Sans Frontières has expressed concerns over the lack of information regarding conditions in remote regions affected by the quake.

The earthquake, measured at a magnitude of 7.7, primarily impacted Mandalay, the Sagaing region, and the capital Naypyidaw. Tremors were felt as far away as Bangkok, over 1,000 kilometers from the epicenter.

Arif Noor, the country director for the humanitarian organization Care Myanmar, stated that with each passing hour, the full extent of the disaster becomes clearer. Myanmar is already grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis, and the current earthquake exacerbates the situation significantly. He emphasized the urgent need for international assistance to support the affected populations.