Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Surges to 838, Rescue Efforts Ongoing

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, leading to a catastrophic death toll that has now exceeded 800, with thousands more injured. The hardest-hit area is Mandalay, where significant destruction occurred, prompting the military junta to request international aid, a rare move for the isolated regime. In Thailand, rescue operations are ongoing for at least 101 people missing from collapsed construction sites, including a high-rise building in Bangkok, where six fatalities have been confirmed. The US Geological Survey has warned that the death toll could surpass 1,000 as aftershocks continue to affect the region. The junta reported that over 1,600 people were injured and urged for assistance in addressing the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the earthquake. Rescue efforts are complicated by the ongoing civil strife in Myanmar, which has hindered access to some of the most affected areas.