A massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake violently shook Myanmar on Friday, unleashing widespread destruction across the impoverished nation.
Initial reports indicate over 140 fatalities, a number officials grimly predict will escalate in the coming days.
The seismic upheaval also tragically impacted neighboring Thailand, claiming at least ten lives in Bangkok due to a construction site collapse.
The midday quake, centered near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, triggered powerful aftershocks, including a significant 6.4 magnitude tremor.
Myanmar’s military leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, somberly announced the initial death toll and reported over 730 injuries.
In Bangkok, authorities detailed ten deaths, sixteen injuries, and a distressing 101 individuals missing from multiple construction sites.
Mandalay bore witness to the collapse of numerous buildings, including a prominent monastery.
Harrowing images from Naypyidaw, the capital, depicted rescue teams desperately extracting victims from the ruins of civil servant housing.
Amidst the devastation, Myanmar’s government urgently appealed for blood donations in the hardest-hit regions.
Despite a history of reluctance towards foreign aid, Min Aung Hlaing stated the country was prepared to accept assistance, prompting the United Nations to allocate $5 million for immediate relief efforts.
