The death toll from the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar last week has surpassed 3,000, according to the country’s ruling military junta, as NGOs rush to provide aid to survivors.
Last Friday’s earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 7.7, was one of the most powerful in the region in a century, wreaking havoc across several regions of the war-torn Southeast Asian nation. Thousands of buildings were brought down, roads buckled, and bridges destroyed.
The military junta reported at least 3,085 deaths, with 4,715 injured and 341 still missing. However, local media reports suggest that the actual number of casualties may be significantly higher. Due to the disruption of communication networks and the difficulty of reaching remote areas, the official toll is expected to rise further as more information becomes available.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the devastation of health infrastructure, stating that four hospitals and one health center were completely destroyed, while another 32 hospitals and 18 health centers sustained partial damage. “With infrastructure compromised and patient numbers surging, access to health care has become nearly impossible in many of the worst-hit areas,” the UN agency said.
“Thousands of people are in urgent need of trauma care, surgical interventions and treatment for disease outbreaks,” it added, highlighting the particular risk of cholera in the aftermath.
The military junta reported that at least 1,550 international rescuers were working alongside local volunteers on Thursday, with rescue supplies and equipment arriving from 17 countries.
The earthquake has further intensified Myanmar’s ongoing humanitarian crisis, which already left more than 3 million displaced and nearly 20 million people in need of assistance before the disaster, according to the UN.
