GUWAHATI: The death toll from the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar nearly a week ago has risen past 3,000, with search and rescue teams recovering more bodies from the rubble. This was confirmed by the country’s military government on Thursday, April 3.
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In a statement, the junta said that at least 3,085 people had died, while 4,715 others sustained injuries. Additionally, 341 individuals remain missing for the time being as rescue operations continue across affected regions. The powerful earthquake, one of the strongest in Myanmar’s history, caused widespread destruction, bringing down thousands of buildings, blocking roads, and collapsing bridges.
The epicentre of the earthquake was near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, which witnessed severe damage. Despite official figures, local media reports suggested the actual death toll could be much higher. Widespread communication blackouts have hindered access to remote areas, making it difficult to assess the full scale of devastation.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that the earthquake severely impacted the country’s healthcare infrastructure. Four hospitals and one health centre were completely destroyed, while 32 other hospitals and 18 health centres sustained partial damage. "With infrastructure compromised and patient numbers surging, access to healthcare has become nearly impossible in many of the worst-hit areas," the UN stated.
Humanitarian efforts are now underway, with a mobile hospital from India and a joint Russian-Belarusian medical team operating in Mandalay to provide medical aid to the injured. Aid agencies continue to scramble to deliver essential supplies, including food, clean water, and shelter to survivors.
Myanmar’s military, which took control of the country in a coup in February 2021, declared a temporary ceasefire on Wednesday to facilitate relief efforts. The country has been grappling with a civil war, further complicating rescue and humanitarian operations. According to the United Nations, even before the earthquake, Myanmar faced a dire humanitarian crisis, with over three million people displaced and nearly 20 million in urgent need of assistance.
As communication lines continue to be non-existent, and search teams struggling to reach remote areas, the full extent of casualties remains uncertain. Authorities fear the death toll could rise further in the coming days as more information emerges from the worst-affected regions.
