YANGON, March 29 – A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar on Friday has left over 1,000 people dead and more than 2,300 injured, according to the country’s ruling junta. The massive quake, centered northwest of Sagaing, has caused widespread devastation across multiple regions.
State of Emergency Declared in Affected Areas
Authorities have declared a state of emergency in six regions, including Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, which suffered severe damage due to its proximity to the epicenter.
In a statement released Saturday, the junta’s information team reported 1,002 confirmed deaths in Mandalay alone, with 2,376 injuries. However, the full extent of the disaster remains uncertain as communications are disrupted, and rescue operations are still underway. Officials fear the death toll could rise significantly.
Scenes of Widespread Devastation
Photos from AFP reveal the extent of destruction in Mandalay, where collapsed buildings, twisted metal, and piles of debris dominate the landscape. Survivors, covered in dust, are seen scrambling to rescue those trapped beneath the rubble.
As Myanmar grapples with the aftermath of this catastrophic earthquake, emergency response teams continue to work tirelessly amid difficult conditions, with the true scale of the disaster yet to fully emerge.
