Earthquake death toll exceeds 3,400, junta says
The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday has risen to 3,471, with more than 4,000 injured as of Saturday evening, according to the junta’s state media. The number is expected to rise as rescuers race against time in search of survivors in the ruins. (Photo: Myanmar Fire Services Department)
90 aftershocks recorded since quake
A total of 90 aftershocks were recorded since the massive earthquake that devasted upper Myanmar on March 28, 2025, Myanmar’s Meteorology and Hydrology Department announced Sunday afternoon.
Many quake victims spend their nights sleeping on the streets, either made homeless by the quake or because they fear that the aftershocks might cause buildings with structural damage to collapse. (Photo: AFP)
80 bodies found in controlled collapse of Mandalay’s Great Wall Hotel
At least 80 dead bodies were found in Mandalay’s Great Wall Hotel after the removal of walls and rubble that caused the partially subsided structure to collapse further on Sunday afternoon.
Residents said the March 28 earthquake caused the building to lean forward, and after days of difficult attempts to rescue potential survivors and recover bodies, a combined force of international rescuers—including teams from Russia, Belarus, and China—and domestic teams began removing walls and rubble from beneath the leaning structure on Sunday afternoon.
This caused the leaning building to collapse further, but none of the rescuers or volunteers were injured. At least 80 dead bodies have now been found and are being recovered. Prior to Sunday’s intervention, rescue teams had only managed to save two survivors and recover two bodies. (Photo: MFSD)
Quake relief teams must obey junta, regime No. 2 warns
Junta No. 2 Soe Win on Saturday said quake relief teams are not permitted to operate independently in Myanmar but need prior authorization, which will only be granted if they cooperate with the authorities.
Speaking at a regime meeting, he also warned regional and state chief ministers not to permit aid teams and NGOs to enter their respective areas unless they collaborate with local aid and relief teams.
Soe Win said emergency teams from 26 countries are working alongside relief groups from Myanmar. (Photo: CINCDS)
Heavy Rain Complicates Recovery in Quake-Hit Myanmar
Rain compounded misery and presented new hurdles for relief efforts on Sunday in Myanmar, where state media reported the death toll from a devastating earthquake has risen to nearly 3,500 people.
The 7.7-magnitude quake struck on March 28, razing buildings, cutting off power, and destroying bridges and roads across the country.
Damage has been particularly severe in the city of Sagaing near the epicentre, as well as in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second city with more than 1.7 million residents.
Around 45 minutes of heavy rain and winds lashed tent cities Saturday evening in Mandalay, according to the UN Development Programme.
People and their belongings were soaked because of a shortage of tarpaulins, Tun Tun, a program specialist at the UN agency, told AFP.
There are also fears that destroyed buildings will subside and complicate body recovery efforts.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4iUAg4d
(Photo: AFP)
USAID workers fired while working in earthquake recovery in Myanmar
Three workers at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) were laid off even as they were on the ground helping with rescue and recovery from Myanmar’s massive earthquake, Reuters reports.
After traveling to Myanmar, the three officials were told late this week they would be let go, according to Marcia Wong, a former deputy administrator of USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.
“This team is working incredibly hard, focused on getting humanitarian aid to those in need. To get news of your imminent termination—how can that not be demoralizing?” she told the news agency.
President Donald Trump’s government has pledged at least US$9 million to Myanmar, but his administration’s massive cuts to USAID have hindered its ability to respond.
(Photo: The Irrawaddy )
UNICEF warns of cholera, diarrhea risk among earthquake victims
There is a high risk of cholera and acute water diarrhea (AWD) among communities displaced by last week’s earthquake, which has damaged water and sanitation infrastructure and limited access to healthcare, UNICEF Myanmar has warned.
It said five AWD cases have officially been reported in Sagaing, “although social media report that there are 95 cases, indicating the outbreak could be progressing.” With many people sleeping out in the open or in overcrowded shelters, there are also concerns of rising malaria, dengue, and acute respiratory infections, it added. (Photo: The Irrawaddy)
Junta to pay 1 million kyats to families of each earthquake fatality
Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing on Saturday said the regime will pay 1 million kyats (US$ 227) in aid to the families of each person who died in the March 28 earthquake. He also promised support for damaged buildings.
Min Aung Hlaing made the remarks at a government meeting in Naypyitaw. The official death toll had risen above 3,300 by Saturday. (Photo: AFP)
ASEAN, Myanmar Discuss Quake Relief and Reconstruction
Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing met with ASEAN Special Envoy and Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, along with Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, at the Tatmadaw Guest House in Naypyitaw on Saturday.
Their talks focused on the deployment of rescue teams and equipment from ASEAN countries following the powerful earthquake in Myanmar. They also discussed ongoing search and rescue efforts by local teams in coordination with international partners, the establishment of mobile hospitals, urgent needs for food and personal items in affected areas, and the provision of heavy machinery to help clear debris.
On the same day, the foreign ministers also met with their Myanmar counterpart Than Swe to coordinate humanitarian assistance and relief efforts through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre). (Photo: CINCDS)
US Pledges Additional $7 Million in Quake Relief for Myanmar
The US Embassy in Yangon announced Saturday evening that the United States is allocating an additional $7 million to support communities affected by the recent earthquake in Myanmar, following initial assessments by US disaster experts.
This new funding, which builds on the $2 million announced on March 31, will help provide emergency shelter, food, medical care, and clean water to those in need. (Photo: MFSD)
India navy delivers aid to quake-hit Myanmar
India’s navy on Saturday delivered hundreds of tonnes of food aid to earthquake-hit Myanmar, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met reclusive junta chief Min Aung Hlaing.
India was among the first countries to rush aid and rescue teams to its war-torn neighbour after a devastating 7.7-magnitude quake on March 28.
The death toll from the earthquake has risen to more than 3,300, Myanmar state media said Saturday.
The latest aid from India comprised 442 tonnes of food including rice, cooking oil, noodles and biscuits, the Indian embassy in Yangon said. Read more: https://bit.ly/3Yn8AwL
(Photo: AFP)
