Rescue operations intensified Monday as the critical 72-hour survival window began closing for victims of Friday’s devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake. The death toll is expected to exceed 2,000 across Myanmar and Thailand.
Dramatic Rescues Offer Hope
Four survivors were pulled from collapsed buildings in Mandalay. Among those rescued were a pregnant woman and a young girl. The city, located near the epicenter, has been devastated by Myanmar’s most powerful earthquake in a century.
In Bangkok, specialized equipment detected signs of life within a collapsed skyscraper. Rescue teams are working urgently to access the area. The building’s collapse has been blamed for 12 deaths, while 75 people remain missing at the construction site.
“We have to speed up,” declared Bangkok’s Deputy Governor Tavida Kamolvej. “We’re not going to stop even after 72 hours.”
Relief Efforts Hampered by Conflict
A more complicated situation has been created by Myanmar’s ongoing civil war. Access to injured victims has been severely restricted in many areas. Security issues have prevented teams from crossing front lines.
The death count was reported at 1,700 by state media on Sunday. A week-long mourning period has been declared by military authorities. The Wall Street Journal cited junta sources claiming 2,028 deaths in Myanmar alone.
Rebel groups have accused the military of continuing airstrikes on villages despite the disaster. An immediate ceasefire has been called for by Singapore’s foreign minister.
International Response Mobilizes
Relief materials and specialized teams have been sent by China, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Russia. The United Nations is coordinating additional humanitarian assistance.
“It doesn’t matter how long we work,” said Yue Xin, who leads the China Search and Rescue Team. “The most important thing is that we can bring hope to the local people.”
A pledge of $2 million in aid has been made by the United States. An emergency response team is being deployed despite recent budget cuts to USAID under the Trump administration.
Infrastructure Devastation Compounds Crisis
Critical infrastructure has been severely damaged throughout Myanmar. Bridges, highways, airports, and railways lie in ruins across the country of 55 million people.
The earthquake has worsened conditions in a nation already suffering from prolonged conflict. More than 3.5 million people had been displaced before the disaster struck.
“People are still sleeping outside and can’t access their homes,” explained Arnaud de Baecque of the International Committee of the Red Cross. “They don’t have the capacity to cook meals.”
Healthcare delivery has been particularly affected. Damaged medical facilities cannot meet existing needs, let alone address new injuries. The health system was already described as “debilitated” before the earthquake hit.
As darkness fell Monday, rescue efforts continued under floodlights. Hope diminishes with each passing hour, but rescuers refuse to abandon their mission.
Reference
Race Against Time: Search for Quake Survivors Intensifies Across Southeast Asia