Myanmar Earthquake: Over 1,600 Dead as Global Rescue Efforts Intensify Amid Devastation

India, China, Thailand, and others rush aid to quake-hit Myanmar as thousands remain trapped, hospitals overwhelmed, and civil unrest complicates rescue efforts

BANGKOK, March 30 – International relief efforts gained momentum on Sunday after a catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake devastated large parts of Myanmar, killing at least 1,600 people and injuring more than 3,400, according to the country’s military government.

The massive quake — one of Myanmar’s strongest in a century — struck Friday, toppling buildings, damaging key infrastructure, and triggering aftershocks felt across Thailand, where 17 people were killed in a separate incident involving a collapsed skyscraper under construction.

“No Aid, No Rescue Workers” – Locals Left to Fend for Themselves

Entire towns near the epicentre, including Sagaing and Mandalay, have been left in ruins, residents say. Power outages, a shortage of clean water, and the near-complete absence of official aid have sparked desperation.

“What we are seeing here is widespread destruction,” said Sagaing resident Han Zin. “We have received no aid, and there are no rescue workers in sight.”

With the military junta under fire for delayed response, local volunteers and informal groups have taken the lead, often without proper rescue equipment. In Mandalay, a second-largest city of Myanmar, rescue efforts are hampered by unstable buildings and lack of heavy machinery.

Already Fragile Myanmar Faces a New Crisis

The earthquake has struck a country already reeling from civil unrest, displacement, and economic collapse since the 2021 military coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi. Over 3.5 million people have already been displaced, and essential services are severely weakened.

In a rare move, the opposition National Unity Government (NUG) announced a temporary ceasefire, stating that its affiliated militias would halt offensive operations for two weeks to assist with rescue and relief.

“The NUG, resistance forces, and civil society groups will carry out rescue operations,” the NUG said.

Global Aid Pouring In

Neighbouring nations have responded swiftly:

• India has dispatched military aircraft and announced plans for a field hospital in Mandalay, with two navy ships en route to Yangon carrying medical supplies.
• China, via Yunnan province, has sent multiple rescue teams and emergency personnel.
• Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Russia have contributed equipment and medical aid.
• A 78-member team from Singapore, along with trained rescue dogs, is already operational in Mandalay.

Despite the aid, the United Nations warns that damaged airports, roads, and bridges are slowing down humanitarian access.

More Tragedy Expected

While the junta’s official death toll stands at 1,600, U.S. Geological Survey predictive models suggest fatalities could surpass 10,000, with total economic losses potentially exceeding Myanmar’s annual GDP.

Hospitals across central and northwestern Myanmar are overwhelmed, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). Many injured remain buried under rubble, especially in areas too dangerous or inaccessible for standard rescue teams.

What Lies Ahead

The situation remains grim as survivors brace for aftershocks, disease outbreaks, and a lack of essentials. Calls for more international coordination and pressure on the junta to allow unhindered humanitarian access are growing louder.

As global teams continue their search-and-rescue operations, Myanmar’s disaster response is now a race against time—amid a complex web of natural catastrophe and political turmoil.