In a profound display of solidarity and grief, Myanmar has declared a week of national mourning following a catastrophic earthquake that has claimed over 2,000 lives. As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the devastating 7.7-magnitude quake, hopes of finding additional survivors amid the rubble are dwindling.
at half-mast until April 6, a gesture of sympathy for the loss and destruction caused by the seismic event that struck on Friday. A moment of silence is scheduled for Tuesday at 12:51:02 p.m. (0621 GMT), marking the exact time the quake hit, urging citizens to pause in remembrance of the victims. Media outlets have been instructed to halt broadcasts and display mourning symbols, while prayers will be offered at temples and pagodas across the country.
As rescue operations in Mandalay, one of the hardest-hit cities with a population exceeding 1.7 million, begin to wind down, the reality of the disaster becomes stark. “The situation is so dire that it’s hard to express what is happening,” lamented Aung Myint Hussein, chief administrator of a local mosque. Many residents have found themselves camping in the streets for multiple nights, either unable to return to their homes or wary of aftershocks that rattled the city over the weekend. Makeshift bedding on blankets and in tents has become the norm, as families seek safety away from precarious structures.
The latest reports indicate that 2,056 people are confirmed dead, with over 3,900 injured and 270 still missing—a toll likely to rise. Among the deceased are three Chinese nationals and two French citizens, highlighting the quake’s international impact. In Thailand’s capital, the quake’s tremors resulted in at least 19 fatalities, including the collapse of a 30-story construction site.
In Mandalay, the local hospital has been evacuated, forcing patients to receive care outdoors under tarpaulins to shield them from the relentless tropical heat. Relatives do their best to comfort loved ones, fanning them with bamboo as they lay on gurneys in the parking lot. “We’re trying to do what we can here. We are trying our best,” shared one anonymous medic, reflecting the exhaustion and urgency felt by healthcare workers.
Despite the dire circumstances, signs of resilience are emerging. Traffic has started to return to the streets of Mandalay, and businesses are cautiously reopening. Hundreds of Muslims gathered outside a destroyed mosque to observe their first prayer of Eid Al-Fitr, a poignant reminder of life continuing amidst tragedy.
Myanmar’s challenges are compounded by years of civil war ignited by a military coup in 2021, which has left the nation’s economy in tatters and infrastructure severely compromised. The World Health Organization has classified the earthquake as a top-level emergency, urgently seeking $8 million to facilitate rescue efforts, while the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched a substantial appeal for $100 million.
In an unprecedented move, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has called for international aid, breaking with a long-standing policy of isolation following natural disasters. Key allies, including China, Russia, and India, have been acknowledged for their support in this time of crisis.
Yet, even as the nation seeks to recover, reports of military airstrikes against opposing armed groups have emerged, further complicating an already chaotic situation. An ethnic minority group reported the loss of seven fighters during an aerial attack shortly after the quake, with additional strikes reported in the days that followed.
As diggers continue to clear the debris in Bangkok, officials remain hopeful of uncovering more survivors in the wreckage of the collapsed building, where 12 deaths have been confirmed and at least 75 people are still unaccounted for. In a time of profound sorrow, Myanmar stands united, navigating the path of recovery amid overwhelming adversity.
+ There are no comments
Add yours