Myanmar Earthquake : Death Toll Hits 1,700 as Mandalay Struggles with Aftermath

The death count in Myanmar after the catastrophic 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit on Friday (March 28) has increased to 1,700. Rescuers, with limited equipment, are still pulling bodies from the debris in hard-hit cities as of Sunday. With hand-clearing of debris, authorities are against time to rescue survivors.

As per the announcement of the ruling junta, approximately 3,400 individuals have been wounded, with some 300 reported missing.

Mandalay in Shambles

Mandalay, which is the epicenter of the earthquake, has been severely damaged, with thousands of buildings, bridges, and communication lines in shambles. There are reports of hundreds of dead still trapped under the debris, and hopes of rescuing survivors are fading.

The overpowering stench of rotting corpses is now in the air, pointing towards a drastic rise in casualties since the city is being cleaned step by step over the coming weeks or months.

Hospitals Overloaded, Supply Scarcity

Medical centers, with their scanty resources already overwhelmed, find themselves incapable of catering to the scores of hurt victims. The hospitals are extremely short-staffed, medicines short, and running low on all basic supplies.

Cara Bragg, Yangon manager for Catholic Relief Services, emphasized the crisis:

“It’s mainly been local volunteers, local people who are just trying to find their loved ones. I’ve also seen reports that now some countries are sending search and rescue teams up to Mandalay to support the efforts, but hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of injured people, there’s a shortage of medical supplies, and people are struggling to find food and clean water,” she said.

International Aid Arrives

Foreign assistance, especially from India and China which are neighbors, has started to pour in. On Saturday, India sent two C-17 military transport planes to Naypyitaw, bringing a field hospital unit and 120 staff. The team will set up a 60-bed emergency treatment facility in Mandalay.

Prioritization in Mandalay and Naypyitaw

Most relief work is centered in Mandalay and the capital city of Naypyitaw, but few details are emerging from other hit areas.

Bragg was alarmed at the mounting cost, and said:

“We’re getting reports of hundreds of individuals stuck in various locations. Currently we’re at 1,600 (confirmed deaths), and we don’t have much information coming in, but you’ve got to assume that it’s going to be growing in the thousands on the basis of what the effects are. This is just anecdotal data at this point.”

The authorities persevere in conducting rescue efforts and the international community intensifies its response to the tragedy.