A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar last Friday, causing widespread devastation in Mandalay, where buildings, bridges, and critical communication networks collapsed, and death toll reaches to 1700. The destruction has severely hindered rescue operations, leaving workers struggling to clear debris by hand due to a lack of equipment and resources. As of now, the official death toll stands at 1,700, with expectations that it will rise further, as many remain trapped under the rubble without assistance.
The quake, which had its epicenter near Mandalay, also caused significant damage to infrastructure, including the city’s airport. Reports indicate that the overwhelming stench of decomposing bodies hangs in the air of Myanmar’s second-largest city, underscoring the scale of the disaster. With temperatures soaring to 41°C (106°F), local residents—many of whom have lost their homes—have been conducting rescue efforts themselves, using only their hands and shovels. Fear of aftershocks has driven survivors to sleep outdoors.
Cara Bragg, Yangon-based manager at Catholic Relief Services, highlighted the dire situation in hospitals, which are running short on staff and essential medical supplies. “Rescue operations have mostly been carried out by locals searching for their loved ones. Some international search and rescue teams are now arriving, but hospitals are overwhelmed, and access to food and clean water is a growing concern,” she said.
The damage has also disrupted transportation and communication. Mandalay’s airport remains unusable, while the control tower at Naypyitaw’s airport has collapsed, forcing the suspension of all commercial flights. Official relief efforts in Naypyitaw are primarily focused on government facilities and staff quarters, leaving local communities and aid groups to fend for themselves in affected residential areas.
According to a statement from Myanmar’s junta on Sunday, at least 1,700 people have been confirmed dead, 3,400 injured, and about 300 are still missing. However, the true extent of damage in remote areas remains unclear. Bragg warned that with hundreds reported trapped in different locations and limited data available, the death toll could continue to rise significantly.
International aid has started trickling in. India deployed two C-17 military transport aircraft carrying a field hospital unit and 120 personnel, who are heading to Mandalay to set up a 60-bed emergency facility. China has sent 17 cargo trucks loaded with essential shelter and medical supplies. Meanwhile, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has flagged critical shortages of medical supplies, as well as damaged roads and communication lines, which are further hampering relief operations.
Complicating matters, the ongoing civil war has made certain areas inaccessible to rescue workers, particularly in regions where the military has lost control. Many locations remain too dangerous for aid teams to reach.
Tom Andrews, a UN-appointed human rights monitor, has urged Myanmar’s military to declare an immediate ceasefire, emphasizing that aid workers should not face arrest and humanitarian assistance must reach those in need without obstacles.
