A 63-year-old woman was rescued from the debris of a collapsed building in Myanmar’s capital on Tuesday, but hopes of finding more survivors are diminishing. The powerful earthquake, which struck on Friday with a magnitude of 7.7, has so far claimed more than 2,700 lives, further deepening the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis amid a civil war.
According to Myanmar’s fire department in Naypyitaw, the woman was pulled out alive 91 hours after being trapped under the rubble. Experts caution that survival chances drop significantly after 72 hours.
Death Toll Expected to Climb Further
Myanmar's military leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, announced at a relief donation forum in Naypyitaw that the earthquake has killed at least 2,719 people, with 4,521 others injured and 441 still unaccounted for, as reported by state broadcaster MRTV.
He noted that this was the second most powerful earthquake recorded in Myanmar’s history, following an 8.0-magnitude quake in May 1912 near Mandalay. The full extent of the devastation remains unclear due to damaged infrastructure, power outages, and communication failures across affected areas.
So far, most reports have emerged from Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, and the capital Naypyitaw, both near the quake’s epicenter. "The scale of need is immense and increasing by the hour," said Julia Rees, UNICEF's deputy representative for Myanmar.
Myanmar’s fire department has reported that 403 people have been rescued in Mandalay, while 259 bodies have been recovered. Among the casualties, 50 Buddhist monks were killed when their monastery collapsed during a religious exam, with an estimated 150 others still buried beneath the debris.
Bangladesh sends fire service rescue team to Myanmar
Widespread Structural Damage
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 10,000 buildings have either collapsed or sustained severe damage. The quake also affected neighboring Thailand, where a high-rise under construction collapsed, killing 22 people and injuring 34 others in Bangkok. Rescue teams in Thailand recovered three bodies from the site between Monday and Tuesday, while dozens remain missing.
In Myanmar, rescue efforts momentarily halted at noon on Tuesday for a minute of silence in remembrance of the victims.
Slow Response and Relief Challenges
Foreign aid and rescue teams have arrived, but operations have been hindered by the lack of heavy equipment in many areas. In Naypyitaw, workers were seen manually passing bricks and debris as they searched for survivors in a collapsed building.
Myanmar's state-run Global New Light of Myanmar reported that a Chinese rescue team managed to save four individuals on Monday, including a pregnant woman and a five-year-old child who had been trapped for over 60 hours. Two teenagers also escaped the rubble using their cellphone flashlights, helping rescuers locate their grandmother and sibling.
International rescue teams from Russia, China, India, the UAE, and Southeast Asian nations are on the ground. Meanwhile, a small U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) disaster assessment team arrived on Tuesday after delays in obtaining visas. The U.S. had earlier announced $2 million in emergency aid.
Growing Health Risks and Aid Concerns
Multiple countries have pledged millions of dollars in aid to Myanmar and humanitarian organizations. The earthquake has exacerbated an already dire situation, with over 3 million people displaced by the country’s civil war and nearly 20 million in need of humanitarian assistance, according to the U.N.
Experts warn of potential disease outbreaks due to poor sanitation and overcrowded shelters. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported increased risks of respiratory infections, skin diseases, and vector-borne illnesses like dengue fever.
Looming Monsoon Season and Civil War Complications
Bangladesh's 55-member rescue, medical team arrives in quake-hit Myanmar
Shelter shortages remain critical, with many people sleeping outdoors due to destroyed homes or fear of aftershocks. The impending monsoon season further complicates the situation.
Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict also hampers relief efforts. The military government, which seized power in 2021, continues to face armed resistance. While the opposition National Unity Government (NUG) has declared a unilateral ceasefire, military attacks persist, and reports indicate some anti-junta forces remain active.
The NUG has urged the international community to ensure direct delivery of aid to victims, warning against possible interference by the ruling military. Meanwhile, the Three Brotherhood Alliance, a coalition of three ethnic armed groups, has also announced a month-long ceasefire.
Despite these calls, Min Aung Hlaing stated in his Tuesday speech that military operations would continue against groups conducting military training, viewing such activities as acts of hostility.
It remains uncertain whether the military is obstructing aid deliveries. Historically, Myanmar’s military government restricted foreign aid following Cyclone Nargis in 2008, which resulted in over 100,000 deaths. However, Min Aung Hlaing emphasized that the country is open to international assistance this time.
Bangladesh sends 2nd consignment of emergency aid to Myanmar
U.N. human rights monitor Tom Andrews underscored the urgency of halting military operations to facilitate relief efforts. "The priority in Myanmar should be saving lives, not taking them," he said on X (formerly Twitter).
Source: With input from agency