Sat Mar 29 09:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Devastating Earthquake in Myanmar Kills Over 1,000, Rescue Efforts Underway

**Yangon, Myanmar/Bangkok, Thailand –** A powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar yesterday has claimed the lives of over 1,000 people, with the death toll rising to 1,002 and 2,376 injured, according to the country’s military government. The quake also impacted neighboring Thailand, resulting in eight deaths, eight injuries, and 79 missing persons.

Rescue workers are frantically searching for survivors amidst the rubble of collapsed buildings, facing significant challenges. Cordelia Lynch, Sky News Asia correspondent, reports from the scene in Bangkok, describing the rescue efforts as perilous, with cranes being used to move debris. While no survivors have yet been pulled from the rubble at her location, thermal imaging has detected signs of at least 15 potential survivors trapped within one building. Families anxiously await news, with many expressing concerns about the lack of any warning system.

The scale of the crisis is immense, according to Deepmala Mahla, chief humanitarian officer at CARE Myanmar. She describes buildings being reduced to rubble in seconds and teams reporting hearing screams from beneath the debris. The pre-existing humanitarian crisis stemming from the 2021 military coup has been exacerbated, with damaged infrastructure, particularly hospitals, and destroyed roads and bridges hindering relief efforts. Approximately one-third of the country already required humanitarian assistance before the earthquake.

International aid is beginning to arrive. China has pledged $13.77 million in aid, including tents, blankets, and medical supplies, with the first batch expected on Monday. A Chinese rescue team has already arrived in Yangon. Other countries, including Russia, India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and the US, have also pledged aid and personnel.

However, significant logistical challenges remain. Dr. Kyi Minn, national director at World Vision Myanmar, highlights the damaged highway preventing road access to affected areas, and the temporary closure of Mandalay airport as major obstacles to delivering aid effectively. The lack of access to affected areas is currently the biggest hurdle.

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