Death toll from Myanmar earthquake rises to 2886
The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday has risen to 2,886, with 4,639 people injured and 373 still missing, according to a statement released by the junta on Wednesday. The number is expected to rise as rescuers race against time in search of survivors in the ruins. The 7.7-magnitude earthquake caused widespread destruction across Mandalay, Sagaing, Magwe, Bago, Naypyitaw and parts of northeastern Shan State. Many affected areas remain in urgent need of assistance.
Man pulled alive from rubble of Naypyitaw hotel after five days
A man was rescued Wednesday after being trapped for five days under the collapsed Hotel Aye Chan Thar in Naypyitaw’s Ottarathiri Township, according to the Myanmar Fire Services Department.
The six-story building partially collapsed, with the bottom two floors caving in, trapping two people. Rescuers, working alongside Turkey’s GEA Search and Rescue Team, successfully pulled one survivor from the rubble. Search efforts are ongoing for the remaining person.
Amid Quake Devastation, Myanmar Military Escalates Attacks, Rejects Ceasefires
The Myanmar junta has conducted at least 21 airstrikes and artillery attacks since Friday’s earthquake across Sagaing, Magwe, Shan, Kachin, Rakhine and Karenni, by The Irrawaddy’s count, and the number is expected to increase as more reports of attacks are verified. On Tuesday alone, following the announcements of temporary halts in offensive operations by several ethnic armed groups, the junta conducted at least five attacks.
Even as his regime intensifies its attacks, the junta leader has dismissed ceasefires called by rebel groups, vowing continued military operations.
Within a few hours of the quake on Friday, the junta’s Northwest Military Command based in Sagaing’s capital Monywa sent paramotors to conduct two aerial bombing attacks on civilian areas in Chaung-U Township, just 90 km to the west of Sagaing town near the epicenter of the quake.
Read more
China makes plea for safety of quake aid workers
After junta forces fired on a Chinese Red Cross convoy in Myanmar’s northern Shan State on Tuesday, China strongly urged all parties in Myanmar to ensure the safety of earthquake relief workers and supplies from China and other countries, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Wednesday. He added that the relief supplies are now on their way to quake-hit Mandalay, according to Xinhua.
Myanmar Junta Admits Firing on Chinese Quake Relief Convoy
Myanmar’s junta admitted its troops fired on a Chinese Red Cross convoy carrying aid supplies to earthquake-stricken regions late Tuesday night, claiming it had failed to notify authorities of its travel plans.
The nine-vehicle convoy was heading to Mandalay when it came under fire in Ohnmattee village, Nawnghkio Township, northern Shan State at 9.21 pm.
Junta spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun admitted on Wednesday that regime troops had fired shots, but insisted they were only warning shots after the trucks failed to stop.
“Our military forces encountered the convoy and stopped it by firing three warning shots into the air at a distance of about 100 meters,” he said.
The convoy had not reported to authorities or the Chinese Embassy in advance, he added. It turned back to Nawnghkio town after the warning shots. Read more
Myanmar Junta Pushes Ahead With Thingyan Festival as Quake Toll Soars
Myanmar’s military regime has given the go-ahead for traditional Thingyan New Year festivities this month, despite the rising death toll from Friday’s devastating earthquake in the war-torn country.
In a statement on Tuesday, the junta acknowledged the severe impact of the earthquake, which caused thousands of deaths and widespread destruction across Naypyitaw, Sagaing, Bago, Magwe, Mandalay, and Shan State.
Despite the national mourning, Thingyan celebrations would proceed, though without the usual singing and dancing, the statement said.
Regime chief Min Aung Hlaing had previously ordered grand celebrations for this year’s Thingyan, after UNESCO enshrined the festival as Intangible Cultural Heritage last December.
The junta boss is apparently reluctant to miss this rare opportunity for propaganda, even as many families grieve loved ones, while others cling to fading hope for those still trapped in collapsed buildings four days after the earthquake. Read more
More aftershocks rock Myanmar
Some 57 aftershocks have been reported since a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, according to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology. Three struck on Wednesday morning near Thazi in Mandalay Region, Yedashae in Bago, and Tigyaing in Sagaing. The official death toll has risen to more than 2,800 as of Wednesday morning.
Brotherhood Alliance declares month-long quake truce
The Brotherhood Alliance, comprising the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Ta’ang National Liberation Army and Arakan Army, on Tuesday declared a month-long unilateral ceasefire from April 1 to April 30 to facilitate relief efforts and humanitarian operations in quake-hit areas. The alliance said it retained the right to self-defense if attacked during the ceasefire.
S.Korean actress Kim Go-eun donates $42,000 to quake relief
South Korean actress Kim Go-eun has made a donation to support earthquake relief in Myanmar. Good Neighbors, a global NGO specializing in children’s rights, announced Wednesday that Kim donated 50 million won (approximately US$42,000) to help Myanmar children and other victims of Friday’s 7.7 magnitude earthquake, according to Korean media reports. “I felt heartbroken upon hearing the news of the residents of Myanmar who lost their homes in an instant,” Chosun Biz quoted the actress as saying, “I send my heartfelt support to the residents of the affected area who are in sorrow.”
