Myanmar Earthquake Claims 1,644 Lives as Global Aid Pours In and Rebels Halt Clashes

A devastating earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, leaving a trail of destruction that has claimed at least 1,644 lives, according to the country’s military junta. The disaster, which also injured 3,408 people and left 139 missing, has prompted an urgent international response and a rare pause in the nation’s ongoing civil conflict. Here’s a breakdown of the latest developments in 10 key points.

1. Rising Death Toll in Myanmar: The junta reported on Saturday that the earthquake’s death toll has surged to 1,644, with thousands more wounded. The 7.7 magnitude quake, centered near Sagaing, has wreaked havoc across central Myanmar, leveling buildings and disrupting critical infrastructure.
   
2. Thailand Feels the Impact: Across the border, Thailand recorded 10 fatalities as the tremors hit Bangkok and other regions, amplifying the disaster’s regional toll. The earthquake’s reach extended to China and India, where mild shaking was felt.
   
3. Foreign Aid Mobilizes: International assistance is flowing into Myanmar, with India deploying a C-130 aircraft carrying National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel and 10 tonnes of relief supplies to Naypyitaw. Additional Indian aid, including two C-17 aircraft with medical teams, is en route. China has dispatched rescue teams to Yangon, while the UK has pledged £10 million in emergency support.
   
4. Anti-Coup Forces Declare Ceasefire: Myanmar’s anti-coup fighters, including the People’s Defence Force, announced a two-week suspension of hostilities starting Sunday. The move aims to support military-led rescue and relief efforts in the quake-hit areas, marking a temporary reprieve in the civil war sparked by the 2021 coup.
   
5. Junta Appeals for Help: In an unusual step, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing called for global aid on Friday, signaling the crisis’s severity. The military, which rarely seeks outside assistance, has welcomed help as it grapples with the disaster’s scale.
   
6. UN Highlights Medical Shortages: The United Nations warned on Saturday of a dire lack of medical supplies in Myanmar, complicating efforts to treat the injured. The agency is coordinating with humanitarian groups to deliver urgent aid to the affected regions.
   
7. Infrastructure in Ruins: The quake has crippled key transportation links, with the Yangon-Naypyitaw-Mandalay highway suffering extensive damage. Mandalay Airport’s partial collapse has further hampered relief operations, forcing reliance on alternative routes.
   
8. Mandalay’s Aftershocks: Rescue teams in Mandalay are racing against time to find survivors amid ongoing aftershocks. The city, devastated by Friday’s quake, remains a focal point of the disaster response as residents sift through rubble.
   
9. Civil War Context: The earthquake strikes as Myanmar endures a brutal civil war following the 2021 military takeover that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s government. The junta faces resistance from ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy forces, compounding the nation’s challenges.
   
10. Regional Solidarity: Beyond Myanmar and Thailand, nations worldwide are stepping up. China’s Yunnan province sent a 37-member rescue team, while Russia and Hong Kong have contributed personnel and resources, reflecting a collective effort to address the catastrophe.

As rescue operations intensify and aid arrives, Myanmar confronts a dual crisis of natural disaster and ongoing conflict, testing the resilience of its people and the response of the international community.