A strong earthquake has struck Mandalay, Myanmar, causing widespread damage, injuries, and fatalities. The international community responds with aid offers.
A magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck Mandalay , Myanmar 's second-largest city, sending tremors as far as Thailand and Vietnam. Myanmar state media reports indicate at least 144 casualties and 732 injured. While Myanmar 's ruling military has yet to release an official death toll, their urgent plea for international assistance and blood donations strongly suggests a significant number of fatalities.
Eyewitness accounts from within the country are slowly emerging, offering glimpses into the tragedy's scale. Reports detail at least three deaths in Taungoo when a mosque partially collapsed. Local media reports at least two fatalities and 20 injuries following a hotel collapse in Aung Ban. A doctor at a Naypyidaw hospital confirmed at least 20 deaths among those brought in with earthquake-related injuries. The National Unity Government, which opposes the junta, reported at least 12 deaths in Mandalay, anticipating a rise in the fatality count.Nyi Nyi Kyaw, a Myanmar academic at the University of Bristol, described the earthquake as a 'very, very big threat to life and health'. He highlighted the challenges faced by a fractured civil society, lamenting that community-based organizations, having largely fled following the coup, are ill-equipped to manage the disaster relief effort. The World Health Organization is preparing trauma injury supplies and anticipates a surge in casualties requiring medical attention. They emphasize the need for essential medicines and are bracing for potential damage to vital health infrastructure. Pope Francis, from the Vatican, offered his prayers for those affected by the earthquake, expressing concern for both Myanmar and Thailand. The Pope, currently recovering from a respiratory infection, is receiving treatment following his hospital discharge.Adding to the complexity of the situation, Myanmar is embroiled in a brutal civil war, characterized by intermittent internet and phone access. Communication challenges have been compounded by internet restrictions imposed by the junta in the quake-impacted areas. The junta has issued a rare plea for international help, acknowledging the earthquake's significant disruption and expressing concern for those affected. While Chinese media reports injuries and building damage in Ruili, a city bordering Myanmar, international organizations are assessing the situation. The United Nations Office on Humanitarian Affairs is collecting information on casualties, infrastructure damage, and immediate humanitarian needs to guide a response. Reports from Naypyidaw General Hospital describe a grim scene with a heavy influx of injured individuals
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