Devastating Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand: Casualty Count Rises
The powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday, March 28, continues to wreak havoc. According to the latest toll released on Wednesday by local authorities, the disaster has resulted in 2,886 deaths, 4,600 injuries, and 373 people missing. With a magnitude of 7.7, this event is one of the most devastating the country has experienced in recent decades.
Relief operations are facing numerous obstacles, including damaged roads, collapsed bridges, and the complexity of intervening in a country beset by civil war. Despite these challenges, over 1,000 foreign aid workers have arrived in Myanmar to support local services, which are struggling with limited resources.
Victims in Neighboring Thailand
The earthquake also affected Thailand, where it has claimed the lives of at least 22 people in the capital, Bangkok, according to a toll released on Wednesday. Several dozen others are reported missing, and rescue efforts continue in the hopes of finding survivors in the rubble. Notably, a 30-story construction tower collapsed, trapping many people beneath the debris.
In response to the disaster, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered an investigation into the materials used and the safety standards at the construction site. A team of experts has been tasked with delivering a report this week to determine the exact causes of the collapse.
Rescue teams continue to pour in, and international efforts are increasing to provide assistance to both countries affected by this deadly earthquake.
