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Over 1,600 people have so far been declared dead in the earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday. In view of rescue ops, anti-coup fighters have declared a partial ceasefire.
Myanmar earthquake updates: Death toll soars past 1,600 (Reuters Image)
The death toll in the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar rose to 1,644, the country’s ruling military said on Saturday, adding that the numbers may rise as more bodies are being pulled from the rubble of the buildings that collapsed on Friday.
The government had, hours earlier, announced 1,002 total fatalities. The number of those injured has now increased to 3,408, while there are 139 people who are still missing.
Myanmar Earthquake And Rescue Ops
The earthquake rocked Myanmar on Friday afternoon with an epicentre not far from Mandalay, followed by several aftershocks, including one that measured as high as 6.4, toppling buildings and collapsing bridges and a dam.
In view of the search and rescue efforts underway in the country, the anti-coup fighters declared a two-week partial ceasefire as the military began to facilitate rescue operations.
“The People’s Defence Force (PDF) will implement a two-week pause in offensive military operations, except for defensive actions, in earthquake-affected areas starting March 30, 2025″, the shadow “National Unity Government” said in a statement.
The rescue efforts in the quake-hit country are underway; however, even though several countries, including India, have sent teams and equipment for assistance, they are hindered by the airports in cities being damaged and apparently unfit to land planes.
In the capital, Naypyidaw, authorities worked to repair damaged roads on Saturday. Most of the city had the electricity, phone, and internet services down.
Indian Army’s Operation Brahma
The Indian Army said that a specialised rescue team from 50 (I) Para Brigade has been deployed to Myanmar under Operation Brahma. India launched this operation on Saturday to provide humanitarian assistance to quake-hit country and dispatched essential items such as medicines and ready-to-eat food, besides other essential material.
The Army said that 118 personnel, including medical and communication units, landed at the Nay Pyi Taw International Airport at 11.30 pm (Myanmar time) on Saturday.
“Mandalay, located 160 miles north of the current base, has been identified as the primary area of operations. The team will commence movement towards Mandalay by 1100 hours. While aerial insertion remains a key mode of deployment, parallel road-based induction is also being explored to establish the Operation Theater (OT) at Mandalay in the shortest possible time,” the Army said in a statement.
Civil War In Myanmar And Partial Ceasefire
Myanmar has been reeling under a prolonged civil war, which has already caused a humanitarian crisis. The situation has made it both difficult and dangerous for movement around the country, hindering relief efforts and raising fears of the rise in the death toll.
As the partial ceasefire was declared, the government in exile said it would “collaborate with the UN and NGOs to ensure security, transportation, and the establishment of temporary rescue and medical camps” in the areas under its control.
The military in Myanmar has been involved in a civil war on multiple fronts since it overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government in February 2021.
Both PDFs and ethnic armed groups opposed the move. The “National Unity Government” is mainly made up of former lawmakers who were removed during the coup and are now trying to overthrow the military rulers.
- Location :
Myanmar (Burma)
