Mon Mar 31 12:30:06 UTC 2025: ## Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Surpasses 2,000; Nation Observes Week of Mourning

**Mandalay, Myanmar –** A devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday has claimed over 2,000 lives, prompting the junta to declare a week of national mourning. The death toll, which includes three Chinese and two French nationals, is expected to rise significantly as communication remains disrupted in many areas. More than 3,900 people have been injured, and 270 remain missing.

Rescue efforts have slowed in Mandalay, the second-largest city and one of the hardest hit, where thousands spent a third night sleeping in the streets fearing aftershocks and damaged buildings. Mandalay’s main hospital has been evacuated, with patients receiving treatment outdoors under makeshift shelters. The intense heat is hampering rescue operations and accelerating decomposition.

The earthquake’s impact extended beyond Myanmar’s borders. At least 19 deaths were reported in Bangkok, Thailand, where a building under construction collapsed.

Despite the immense challenges, life in Mandalay is slowly returning to some semblance of normalcy, with restaurants and street vendors reopening and a large Eid al-Fitr prayer gathering taking place.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the quake a top-level emergency, requesting $8 million in aid, while the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched a $100 million appeal. The junta, in an unusual move, has appealed for international assistance, accepting aid from China, Russia, and India. However, reports indicate that the military continued airstrikes against armed opposition groups even amidst the disaster response.

Myanmar’s ongoing civil war and already fragile infrastructure further complicate the relief efforts. The country is grappling with the combined crises of a natural disaster and a protracted internal conflict that has displaced millions. The full extent of the damage and the ultimate death toll remain unknown.

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