Myanmar declares
week-long national mourning over deadly earthquake
MANDALAY — Myanmar's Department of Meteorology and Hydrology reported that 36
aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging from 2.8 to 7.5, have occurred as of
Monday morning.
The aftershocks followed a devastating 7.7-magnitude
that jolted Myanmar at 12:51 p.m. local time last Friday, Xinhua
news agency reported.
About 1,700 people died, 3,400 were injured, and 300
remained missing in the massive earthquake in Myanmar, according to the
country's State Administration Council on Sunday.
A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake, followed by a 6.4
magnitude aftershock minutes later, struck Myanmar's Mandalay region on Friday,
causing massive casualties and damage in multiple countries.
The epicentre was only about 20 km from Mandalay, the
country's second-largest city with a population of 1.5 million. In response,
the National Disaster Management Committee declared a state of emergency across
the Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, Magway Region, the northeastern part of
Shan State, the capital of Nay Pyi Taw and Bago Region.
Rescue operations are still underway, while international
relief efforts are being swiftly mobilised to address the dire needs of the
affected population.
Several key roads linking Mandalay and Yangon in the
south were damaged or blocked, while airports in Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw were
temporarily shut down, with all flights canceled.
Photos and videos posted on social media showed
significant structural damage to buildings, temples and several historical
sites in the Mandalay region, including the Mandalay Palace and the Mahamuni
Pagoda.
The earthquake is the strongest by magnitude so far this
year, according to the United States Geological Survey. Tremors were felt in
Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and southwest China.
In Thailand, 10 people were killed and 42 others injured,
with 78 others remaining missing in the capital of Bangkok, authorities said
Saturday.
Following the quake, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn
Shinawatra announced a state of emergency in Bangkok. Noticeable tremors were
felt in Thailand's northern provinces, such as Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son.
Some tourist attractions in the Pai District of Mae Hong Son have collapsed.
Hours after a high-intensity earthquake jolted Myanmar,
causing widespread devastation, India also came to the quick rescue of the
neighbouring country by sending rescue teams and providing humanitarian aid to
assist in evacuation efforts, as well as comforting the displaced populace.
Myanmar declares
week-long national mourning over deadly earthquake
Myanmar's State Administration Council's Chairman, Senior
General Min Aung Hlaing, on Monday announced a week-long mourning period
following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck the country on March 28.
In recognition of and sympathy for the damage and loss of
lives caused by the earthquake, the period from March 31 to April 6 has been
declared national mourning days. During this time, the national flag will be
flown at half-mast, he said.
According to Myanmar's State Administration Council on
Sunday, about 1,700 people died, 3,400 were injured, and 300 remained missing
in the massive earthquake, Xinhua news agency reported.
Myanmar's Department of Meteorology and Hydrology
reported that 36 aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging from 2.8 to 7.5, have
occurred as of Monday morning.
A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake, followed by a 6.4
magnitude aftershock minutes later, struck Myanmar's Mandalay region on Friday,
causing massive casualties and damage in multiple countries.
The epicentre was only about 20 km from Mandalay, the
country's second-largest city with a population of 1.5 million. In response,
the National Disaster Management Committee declared a state of emergency across
the Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, Magway Region, the northeastern part of
Shan State, the capital of Nay Pyi Taw, and the Bago Region.
Rescue operations are still underway, while international
relief efforts are being swiftly mobilised to address the dire needs of the
affected population.
Several key roads linking Mandalay and Yangon in the
south were damaged or blocked, while airports in Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw were
temporarily shut down, with all flights cancelled.
Photos and videos posted on social media showed
significant structural damage to buildings, temples and several historical
sites in the Mandalay region, including the Mandalay Palace and the Mahamuni
Pagoda.
The earthquake is the strongest by magnitude so far this
year, according to the United States Geological Survey. Tremors were felt in
Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and southwest China.
In Thailand, 10 people were killed and 42 others injured,
with 78 others remaining missing in the capital of Bangkok, authorities said
Saturday.
Following the quake, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn
Shinawatra announced a state of emergency in Bangkok. Noticeable tremors were
felt in Thailand's northern provinces, such as Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son.
Some tourist attractions in the Pai District of Mae Hong Son have collapsed.
Hours after a high-intensity earthquake jolted Myanmar,
causing widespread devastation, India also came to the quick rescue of the
neighbouring country by sending rescue teams and providing humanitarian aid to
assist in evacuation efforts, as well as comforting the displaced populace.
