Naypyidaw [Myanmar], March 30 (HBTV): The official death toll from the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar on Friday has surpassed 1,600, The New York Times reported on Saturday, citing the country’s military leaders.

According to The New York Times, rescue efforts continue to locate survivors amidst the devastation near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city. Volunteers and emergency workers are searching through the wreckage of buildings, monasteries, and mosques for any survivors.

Rescue teams are facing significant challenges due to downed power lines and damaged infrastructure, while Myanmar’s military regime maintains strict control over information, The New York Times reported. The death toll is expected to rise, with preliminary estimates from the US Geological Survey suggesting it could exceed 10,000.

The earthquake has raised concerns about the military rulers' ability to retain control over the country, which has been embroiled in a civil war since the 2021 coup, as per The New York Times. Before the disaster, nearly 20 million people in Myanmar were already struggling with severe shortages of food and shelter due to the ongoing conflict.

Despite the devastation, the Myanmar military continued its airstrikes on Friday evening, bombing Naung Lin, a rebel-held village in northern Shan State. Local residents were shocked by the simultaneous attacks as the country grappled with the national disaster.

In response, the National Unity Government, an opposition-led shadow government, announced a two-week pause on offensive military operations in quake-affected areas, while reserving the right to defend itself, The New York Times reported.

The disaster has fuelled growing anger toward the military junta, with reports of soldiers and police officers present at disaster sites but failing to assist in rescue efforts. Volunteers expressed frustration toward the junta, saying, ‘We don’t need guns; we need helping hands and kind hearts,’ as quoted by The New York Times.

The junta has acknowledged the scale of the catastrophe, which also affected neighbouring countries, including causing building collapses as far away as Bangkok, Thailand. A state of emergency has been declared in six regions of Myanmar, including rebel-controlled areas.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the head of Myanmar’s military, visited disaster zones and a makeshift hospital in Naypyidaw on Friday. Despite international sanctions and Myanmar’s isolation, the military government has made an urgent appeal for aid, which is beginning to be answered, though significant logistical challenges remain.

Aid workers are facing obstacles such as collapsed infrastructure, divided regions, and potential military interference. The delivery of assistance is further complicated by sanctions and difficulties in transferring funds into the country.

(ANI)