Rescue teams in Myanmar rescued a 26-year-old man alive from the rubble of a hotel in the capital early Wednesday, 108 hours or five days after a devastating earthquake struck the country. Most teams, however, are now only recovering bodies.
Using an endoscopic camera, crews located Naing Lin Tun trapped beneath the debris and carefully rescued him through a hole jackhammered in the floor. He was loaded onto a gurney nearly 108 hours after being trapped. In footage released by the local fire department, he appeared weak but conscious as he received an IV drip before being transported for medical care.
According to state-run MRTV, the operation in Naypyitaw was carried out by a combined Turkish and local team and lasted over nine hours.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck midday Friday, toppling buildings, collapsing bridges, and damaging roads. Official figures from MRTV report 2,886 deaths and 4,639 injuries in Myanmar, though independent reports suggest the toll may be significantly higher.
The quake also affected neighboring Thailand, where a high-rise under construction in Bangkok collapsed. One more body was recovered Wednesday, bringing Thailand’s death toll to 22, with 34 injuries, mainly at the construction site.
Already devastated by civil war, Myanmar is facing an even greater humanitarian crisis. Over 3 million people were displaced before the quake, and nearly 20 million were in urgent need of aid, according to the United Nations.
In response, the Three Brotherhood Alliance, a coalition of powerful militias that has seized large parts of Myanmar from the military, declared a one-month ceasefire on Tuesday to allow humanitarian efforts. The shadow opposition National Unity Government had also previously called for a ceasefire.
Despite these declarations, violence continues. On Tuesday, an opposition militia from the Brotherhood Alliance accused the military of firing at a convoy of nine Chinese Red Cross vehicles carrying aid near Ohn Ma Tee village in Shan State. The convoy was reportedly en route to Mandalay. However, Myanmar’s military spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, claimed the convoy had not informed authorities of its route and said security forces fired warning shots at a vehicle that refused to stop.
Several nations have pledged aid to Myanmar to help with recovery efforts and rescued more.
Australia announced an additional $4.5 million in assistance on Wednesday, adding to the $1.25 million it had already committed. India has sent two naval ships with aid and deployed 200 rescue workers. China, Russia, and the UAE have also sent rescue teams, with China contributing 270 personnel, Russia 212, and the UAE 122. The United States has sent a three-person USAID team to assess needs, though U.S. aid efforts are limited due to budget cuts. Washington pledged $2 million in emergency relief over the weekend.
The full extent of the destruction remains unclear, especially in rural areas where communications and access are limited. However, reports from affected regions indicate significant loss of life.
In Singu Township, north of Mandalay, 27 gold miners died in a cave-in, according to the independent Democratic Voice of Burma. In Inle Lake, northeast of the capital, numerous homes built on stilts collapsed, causing many fatalities, though official figures have not been provided.
As the search for survivors continues, aid organizations and governments are scrambling to provide relief in a nation already struggling with conflict and instability.
