Over 3,000 Dead in Gangjin, Myanmar
- MANDALAY, Myanmar (AP) – The death toll from the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 28, has risen to nearly 3,000, officials reported Monday.
- China Central Television (CCTV) reported the official death toll had reached 2,719.
- Despite the grim circumstances, rescue teams continue their desperate search for survivors.The Associated Press reported that fire authorities in Myanmar's capital, Nepido, successfully rescued a 63-year-old woman who...
Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Nears 3,000; Rescue Efforts Continue
MANDALAY, Myanmar (AP) – The death toll from the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 28, has risen to nearly 3,000, officials reported Monday. Five days after the quake, residents continue to grapple with aftershocks and homelessness amid a severe heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius).
Rising Casualties and Ongoing Search Efforts
China Central Television (CCTV) reported the official death toll had reached 2,719. Citing military sources, CCTV indicated that the number of injured is expected to climb to 4,521, with 441 people still missing. Authorities fear the total number of fatalities could surpass 3,000.
Despite the grim circumstances, rescue teams continue their desperate search for survivors.The Associated Press reported that fire authorities in Myanmar’s capital, Nepido, successfully rescued a 63-year-old woman who had been trapped for 91 hours.
Hospitals Overwhelmed, Citizens displaced
AFP News reported that hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of injured. A doctor at Mandalay General Hospital described the situation as “very incomplete to everyone,” with many patients being treated in the hospital’s outdoor parking lot. Only those requiring intensive care are being treated indoors due to safety concerns. Many residents are spending nights in the streets or on school grounds, fearing further building collapses.
AI Assesses Widespread Damage
Microsoft utilized satellite imagery and artificial intelligence (AI) to assess the extent of the damage in the Mandalay area. Their analysis revealed that an estimated 515 buildings sustained between 80% and 100% destruction, while another 1,524 buildings suffered damage ranging from 20% to 80%.
Korean man’s Heroic Act in Bangkok
In a related incident, Thai media highlighted the bravery of Kwon Young-joon, 38, a Korean man residing in Bangkok, Thailand. According to Tyras TV, Kwon, who lives with his Thai wife and newborn daughter, was exercising at a fitness center in a high-rise condominium when the earthquake struck.To reach his family, Kwon jumped across a broken bridge on the 52nd floor of the building.
“After crossing the bridge, the sound of ‘thumping’ was great, but I thought I should continue to run to my family,” Kwon told Tyras TV.