Deadly Earthquake Strikes Myanmar: Rescue Efforts Intensify Amidst Ruins

The death toll in Myanmar has surpassed 1,600 following the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck the country on Friday, February 28, 2025. Rescue teams are racing against time to locate survivors trapped under the rubble in Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city and the epicenter of the quake. The city resembles a flattened landscape, with limited resources hampering rescue efforts due to the military junta’s rule. Many have noted the lack of available hospitals as the few existing ones are overwhelmed with over 3,500 injured. Meanwhile, the exact number of missing people remains unknown. In response to the crisis, the armed wing of Myanmar’s shadow government, the People’s Defence Force (PDF), announced a two-week unilateral ceasefire starting March 30, 2025, to facilitate relief operations in affected areas. Despite internal conflicts, the PDF vowed to collaborate with the UN and NGOs to ensure safe passage for humanitarian aid. The powerful earthquake also impacted neighboring Thailand, where 17 deaths were reported in Bangkok, along with 83 people still missing after a 33-story building under construction collapsed.