Desk: A powerful earthquake in Myanmar has caused widespread destruction, with the death toll rising to 1,644, according to the country’s military government. Around 3,408 people have been reported injured, while 139 individuals remain missing. News agency AFP cited this information on Saturday. The death toll is expected to rise further as rescue operations continue.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck on Friday, with its epicenter located not far from Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city. The tremors led to severe structural damage, causing buildings to collapse and infrastructure to break down. Several aftershocks followed, one of which had a magnitude of 6.4. Roads, bridges, and a dam suffered extensive damage, and multiple buildings were destroyed.
In the capital Naypyidaw, workers were seen repairing damaged roads on Saturday. Large parts of the city faced power outages, and phone and internet services were disrupted.
Satellite images revealed that the earthquake destroyed the air traffic control tower at Naypyidaw International Airport. Photos taken on Saturday showed the tower completely toppled, with debris scattered around. The tower was crucial in managing all air traffic in Myanmar’s capital. It remains unclear if there were any casualties at the site, but officials suspect that staff members were inside when the earthquake struck. The collapse of the tower likely disrupted airport operations. As a result, rescue flights from China had to land at Yangon Airport instead of flying directly to Mandalay or Naypyidaw.
The earthquake’s tremors were also felt in Thailand, affecting the capital Bangkok and other regions. Thai authorities confirmed that six people died, 26 were injured, and 47 remain missing due to the tremors. Significant damage was reported near Bangkok’s Chatuchak Market, where a construction site was severely impacted. On Saturday, more heavy machinery was deployed to clear debris, but hopes of finding survivors among the missing are fading.