Update on Myanmar earthquakes: death toll crosses 1,600

Update from Myanmar where huge earthquakes happened on Friday, March 28, 2025, reveals that more than 1,600 persons have died from the fatal incident.

Rescuers are desperately searching for survivors in Myanmar after the largest earthquake in more than a century flattened buildings.

More than 1,600 people are dead, authorities say.

The US Geological Survey estimated that the death toll could top 10,000. Efforts have been hampered by shortages of heavy machinery.

Reports say a Chinese team are the first overseas support that arived after the ruling military government made a rare plea for help.

According to state media, India has also sent a rescue and medical team along with urgent aid.

Myanmar, one of Asia’s poorest nations, is reeling from a civil war sparked by a 2021 military coup.

Weak infrastructure makes it ill-equipped to deal with major natural disasters.

Aid groups said communications blackouts and damaged roads are making it challenging to reach people who need help.

The quake triggered the collapse of buildings hundreds of miles away.

At least 10 people have died in the Thai capital, with authorities racing to free more than 100 others believed to be trapped under the rubble of an under-construction high-rise. Signs of life have been detected.

MEANWHILE

According to the United Nations, wrecked roads and rubble are impeding relief efforts in Myanmar.

This information comes as the race to find survivors continues after the deadliest quake in the Southeast Asian nation in years.

Severe shortages of medical supplies have also complicated relief efforts, the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Saturday.

The supplies include trauma kits, blood bags, anesthetics and assistive devices in a country isolated from the rest of the world by the military junta

Health workers on the ground, including in the cities of Mandalay, Magway, Nay Pyi Taw and Sagaing in central and northwestern Myanmar, are struggling to field streams of injured people.

In the south, the townships of Nyaungshwe, Kalaw and Pinlaung are among the hardest-hit by the earthquake, OCHA said in a statement.

“Thousands of people are spending the nights on the streets or (in) open spaces due to the damage and destruction to homes or fearing further quakes,” the agency said.

“As the full scale of the disaster unfolds, urgent humanitarian assistance is needed to support those affected,” it added.

Disruptions to telecommunications and internet services are making it harder still to distribute aid.

As of Friday, more than 1,200 houses, three school buildings, one hotel and several religious structures have been damaged or destroyed, OCHA said.

It also noted damage to hospitals, major bridges, universities, and historical and public buildings.

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