Myanmar-Thailand Earthquake: 1,000 Dead, 2,000 Injured, and Many Feared Trapped; India Sends Support
Myanmar Junta Chief Min Aung Hlaing has made a rare request for international humanitarian aid and declared a state of emergency.
Myanmar-Thailand Earthquake: 1,000 Dead, 2,000 Injured, and Many Feared Trapped; India Sends Support, Latest News: A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck northwest Sagaing, Myanmar, and parts of Thailand on Friday at 12:50 PM (local time) at a shallow depth of 10 km, leaving 1,000 dead so far, flattening buildings, cracking open roads, injuring thousands, and trapping many under debris.
An aftershock of 6.7 magnitude followed, along with several smaller tremors. The tremors were felt as far as southern China and eastern India.
According to media reports, Myanmar’s military junta stated this morning that the death toll in the country has surpassed 1,000. Meanwhile, in Thailand, 10 people lost their lives, and 100 workers are feared trapped after a 30-story under-construction building collapsed near Bangkok’s Chatuchak market.
The 1,800-meter-long Ava Bridge, a historic bridge in Myanmar built by the British, spanning the Irrawaddy River and connecting the Sagaing and Mandalay regions, also collapsed.
Myanmar Junta Chief Min Aung Hlaing has reportedly made a rare request for international humanitarian aid and declared a state of emergency across six regions on Friday.
"We want the international community to provide humanitarian aid as soon as possible," junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun told AFP at a hospital in Naypyidaw, where the injured were being treated.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday, tweeted his concern for the affected regions and offered help, "Concerned by the situation in the wake of the earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. India stands ready to offer all possible assistance. In this regard, I have asked our authorities to be on standby and instructed the MEA to remain in touch with the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand."
As part of Operation Brahma, the Indian Air Force dispatched 15 tonnes of relief supplies to Myanmar this morning.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal tweeted: "India acts as a First Responder to assist the people of Myanmar affected by yesterday's massive earthquake. Our first tranche of 15 tonnes of relief material, including tents, blankets, sleeping bags, food packets, hygiene kits, generators, and essential medicines, has landed in Yangon."
The European Union and the United States have also assured support. US President Donald Trump told reporters: "It's a really bad one, and we will be helping."
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