Myanmar Quake Death Toll Climbs
The death toll from the powerful earthquake in Myanmar has reached 1,644, the country’s authorities said on Saturday. Rescue workers raced against time in search of survivors in the ruins of apartments buildings, monasteries, and mosques. The Myanmar Quake death toll climbs as efforts continue.
The 7.7-magnitude temblor struck just outside Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, on Friday afternoon. It sent shock waves around Southeast Asia and even beyond. In Bangkok, Thailand, over 600 miles from the quake’s epicenter, a 30-story building under construction collapsed. Grim vigils were being held on Saturday. Rescue workers searched for survivors.
But the earthquake was particularly devastating to areas near the Sagaing Fault. The fault runs north-south through the center of Myanmar. The quake destroyed buildings and roads and downed power lines.
The number of dead and injured in Myanmar, a country ruled by a military junta that has restricted contact with the outside world, was expected to rise. It may be months before the full scale of the devastation is understood. Modeling by the United States Geological Survey suggested the number of deaths was likely to surpass 10,000. miraloaqui.com/
Acerca del autor
