Tremors of tragedy: Myanmar gets aid from across the world as earthquake claims 3,000 people

The earthquake in Myanmar has claimed 3,085 lives, with 4,715 injured and 341 still missing. As search teams continue their operations, the numbers are expected to rise further, especially given communication outages and inaccessible areas.

The 7.7-magnitude quake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, causing widespread destruction. Thousands of buildings collapsed, roads cracked, and bridges were destroyed, affecting multiple regions and leaving many stranded.

Local media sources suggest the actual death toll could be significantly higher than official numbers. Limited telecommunications and difficulties in accessing remote areas mean the full extent of the disaster is still unknown.

The World Health Organisation reported that four hospitals and one health center were completely destroyed, while 32 hospitals and 18 health centers suffered partial damage, making medical treatment scarce in affected regions.

With hospitals overwhelmed and infrastructure damaged, thousands urgently require trauma care, surgery, and disease treatment. Foreign medical teams, including an Indian mobile hospital and a Russian-Belarusian unit, have been deployed to assist.

Many survivors are staying in makeshift shelters or sleeping in open fields due to fears of aftershocks. In Naypyitaw, emergency workers are setting up large tents to accommodate the displaced, as temperatures soar to 40°C (104°F).

Even before the earthquake, Myanmar faced a severe crisis, with 3 million displaced and 20 million in need of aid. The disaster has exacerbated food shortages, lack of clean water, and worsening living conditions.

The military government, engaged in a civil war since the 2021 coup, declared a ceasefire until April 22 to facilitate aid. However, it warned of military action if opposition forces used the truce to regroup.

Despite the ceasefire, reports emerged of ongoing military strikes in Kachin state, where fighting between the army and ethnic militias was already intense before the quake. These claims remain unverified due to limited communication.

The earthquake's tremors reached Bangkok, causing a partially built skyscraper to collapse, killing 22 people and injuring 35. Rescue teams are searching for survivors, with faint signs of life detected more than 144 hours after the quake.