A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, killing at least 1,700 people and leaving hundreds more missing. Four survivors were rescued from a collapsed school building in the Sagaing region nearly 60 hours after the quake. Despite international aid starting to reach the country, rescue efforts have been hindered by delays and difficult terrain.
The disaster has also had an impact on neighboring Thailand, where a high-rise construction site collapsed, killing 18 people and leaving 76 workers missing. Rescue teams from around the world, including China, India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and several European countries, are joining the effort to help those affected.
However, the situation remains dire, with hospitals overwhelmed with injured patients and thousands of displaced people without food, shelter, or medicine. The World Food Programme has warned that the situation is “extremely dire” and urgent action is needed.
The Myanmar military junta has continued to bomb parts of the country, despite a two-week pause in military operations announced by rebel groups fighting for power. The UN has described these attacks as “completely outrageous and unacceptable.”
As the country faces further challenges, including the approaching monsoon season, rescue efforts continue. International aid is slowly making its way into affected areas, but much work remains to be done to support those affected by the devastating earthquake.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g9x22gd8zo