Thu Apr 03 11:04:31 UTC 2025: ## Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Exceeds 3,000 as Junta Leader Attends Regional Summit

**Bangkok, April 3, 2025** – The death toll from a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28th has surpassed 3,000, with over 4,700 injured and 341 still missing, according to the military-led government. The announcement came as Myanmar’s junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, arrived in Bangkok to attend a BIMSTEC summit. He is expected to address the international response to the disaster.

The earthquake, centered near Mandalay, caused widespread destruction, collapsing thousands of buildings, roads, and bridges. Local reports suggest the casualty figures may be significantly higher than official numbers, hampered by widespread communication outages and difficult access to affected areas.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported significant damage to healthcare infrastructure, with four hospitals and one health center completely destroyed, and dozens more partially damaged. This has severely limited access to medical care for thousands urgently needing trauma care and surgical interventions. International aid, including mobile hospitals from India and a joint Russian-Belarusian facility, has been deployed to Mandalay. Over 1,550 international rescuers are assisting local efforts, with aid provided by 17 countries.

The earthquake exacerbated an existing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, which is already grappling with a civil war and displacement of millions. While the military announced a temporary ceasefire from April 2nd to 22nd, reports of continued fighting in some areas persist.

The disaster also impacted neighboring Thailand, where a building under construction in Bangkok collapsed, resulting in 22 deaths and 35 injuries. Rescue efforts are ongoing. The scale of the devastation highlights the urgent need for continued international aid and cooperation amidst the ongoing political instability in Myanmar.

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