Myanmar quake destroys over 80 historic buildings
More than 80 historic buildings including pagodas, Buddhist temples, monasteries and mosques were destroyed in Mandalay, Sagaing, Naypyitaw and Bago regions and Shan State during the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar on Friday, according to the civilian National Unity Government (NUG).
The NUG said the destruction of the structures represented a significant loss of cultural and historical heritage for the nation.
The death toll from Friday’s earthquake has risen to 1,002 with 2,376 injuries, Myanmar’s junta said on Saturday. The 7.7-magnitude quake struck northwest of Sagaing city on Friday. The death toll is expected to rise and many areas, including Sagaing, Mandalay and Naypyitaw, suffered casualties and extensive building damage.
Trump promises quake aid
Donald Trump said the US will help Myanmar recover from Friday’s 7.7 magnitude earthquake that has left at least 694 dead and thousands injured.
“We’re going to be helping,” Trump said from the Oval Office on Friday. “It’s terrible what’s happening. We’ve already spoken with the country.”
China amends condolence statement, dropping mention of ‘phone call’ from Xi
After first issuing a statement Saturday morning that Chinese President Xi Jinping had spoken by phone with the Myanmar junta boss to express his condolences regarding Friday’s earthquake, the Chinese Embassy in Yangon issued an amended statement half an hour later saying only that a condolence letter from Xi had been sent to “Myanmar leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing”.
Junta forces have launched airstrikes in several regions of Myanmar since Friday’s earthquake, including areas in Magwe, Sagaing and northern Shan State.
The embassy said Xi expressed concern about the severe earthquake damage, conveying sympathy for the lives lost and offering condolences to the families of the deceased and those affected by the disaster. The letter noted that China was ready to provide assistance and support for rebuilding and recovery efforts.
Rescue Operations Ongoing for Over 100 Trapped Monks in Mandalay
Rescue operations are ongoing Saturday at a collapsed religious building in Mandalay where more than 200 monks were taking a religious exam when Friday’s powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck. At least three monks were killed, but more than 55 had been rescued as of this morning, said a rescue team member. Nationwide the death toll from the earthquake has passed 1,000 with 2,376 people injured and 30 missing, according to junta-controlled media.
Singapore sends Operation Lionheart rescue team to quake-hit Myanmar
In response to Myanmar’s devastating earthquake, the Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF) has deployed its Operation Lionheart (OLH) contingent to assist in rescue efforts. The 80-member team, led by Colonel Tay Zhi Wei, departed from Changi Airport at 1:20 p.m. Saturday, SCDF said.
The team includes an elite Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team, medical professionals, search specialists with canines, hazardous materials experts, and support officers. Equipped with portable Urban Search and Rescue tools, life detection devices and fiber-optic scopes, they are ready to conduct swift rescue missions in affected areas, it said.
Additionally, three SCDF officers have been deployed to Myanmar as part of the ASEAN Emergency Response and Assessment Team to assess urgent needs on the ground.
Junta boss visits quake-hit Mandalay
Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Mandalay on Saturday morning and held a meeting with Central Command officials to coordinate rescue efforts, according to junta media. He also visited a few disaster sites in the country’s second-largest city, which was one of the areas worst hit by Friday’s quake, with several buildings collapsing including condos, monasteries and hotels. The city lies close to the epicenter of the powerful 7.7 magnitude quake, which struck at lunchtime and was followed by a powerful aftershock and several moderate ones. Most parts of the city are in urgent need of assistance and rescue operations, with people still trapped in rubble at several sites.
India aid flight arrives in quake-hit Myanmar
An Indian aid flight carrying tents, blankets, sleeping bags, food, hygiene kits, generators and medicines landed in Myanmar on Saturday, the foreign ministry in New Delhi said. The Indian embassy in Myanmar said it was in touch with the Indian community in Myanmar through the emergency contact number +95-95419602 for Indian nationals in need.
Myanmar quake death could exceed 10,000: US agency
The death toll from the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Myanmar could be between 10,000 and 100,000, the United States Geological Survey estimated. The agency issued a red alert for the estimated fatalities, indicating high casualties and extensive damage and said it could reduce GDP by up to 70 percent.
Friday’s earthquake was the largest to hit Myanmar in more than a century with Kyaukse, Taungoo, Yamethin, Sagaing and Pyinmana the worst-hit townships. The junta confirmed 1,002 deaths and 2,376 wounded by Saturday noon.
Junta airstrikes target TNLA territory
Myanmar’s regime has continued airstrikes on rebel-held territory despite Friday’s earthquake. Around an hour after the quake, the regime bombed the village of Naung Lin in Ta’ang National Liberation Army-controlled Nawnghkio Township, around 120km from the quake’s epicenter, killing seven members of the TNLA-allied Danu People’s Liberation Army, according to the armed group. Junta paramotors also conducted two airstrikes on Chaung-U Township, Sagaing Region, near the quake’s epicenter on Friday evening.
Junta airstrikes continue in Sagaing amid earthquake disaster
Myanmar junta’s Northwest Military Command in Monywa used paramotors to conduct two airstrikes on civilians in Chaung-U Township on Friday evening, hours after the earthquake, according to Chaung U Revolution News which monitors junta atrocities.
Damage and casualties were unknown.
On Friday afternoon, the 7.7 magnitude quake had its epicenter near Sagaing city, causing at least 700 deaths.
Russia sends two aid planes
Russia has sent two planes carrying rescuers and doctors to Myanmar to help earthquake victims efforts, Tass news agency reported.
Following the orders from the Russian president and emergencies minister, dog teams to search for people under rubble, anaesthesiologists and psychologists departed for Myanmar on Friday.
The earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, killing at least 694 people and injuring thousands. Hospitals cannot cope with patient numbers and junta boss Min Aung Hlaing made a rare call for international aid.
China sends quake rescue team
China sent a 37-member rescue team to Myanmar on Saturday morning to assist in rescue and medical efforts after Friday’s 7.7 magnitude earthquake. The death toll has reached 694 with 1,670 injuries. The death toll is expected to rise and many areas, including Sagaing, Mandalay and Naypyitaw suffered casualties and extensive property damage.
Japanese foreign minister prays for swift quake recovery for Myanmar
Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi has offered his condolences to Myanmar people in the aftermath of the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that rocked the country on Friday. He said he was “deeply saddened to learn of the significant damage caused by the earthquake in central Myanmar” and prayed for the “swift recovery of those affected as well as the early restoration of the disaster-stricken areas.”
Junta ambassador visits Bangkok crash site
Myanmar’s ambassador to Thailand Zaw Zaw Soe on Saturday visited the construction site of a 30-storey government building in Bangkok that collapsed yesterday, according to Khaosod English. Zaw Zaw Soe, who was appointed this month, said he could not visit the scene yesterday due to traffic chaos. Seven have died and around 90, many of whom are probably migrants from Myanmar, are missing at the site.
