The death toll from the powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar nearly a week ago has risen to at least 3,085, the country’s military-led government reported Thursday. Officials also confirmed 4,715 people injured and 341 still missing, with the numbers expected to climb as search and rescue operations continue.
The quake, which hit last Friday near Mandalay—Myanmar’s second-largest city—has devastated wide swaths of the country, toppling thousands of buildings, collapsing bridges, and tearing apart major roadways. The epicenter lies in a region already deeply affected by Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict between the ruling military junta and armed resistance forces.
Telecommunications outages and limited access to rural areas have made it difficult to fully assess the scope of the destruction. Local media and aid workers suggest the true toll may be significantly higher than official figures.
The disaster has deepened Myanmar’s existing humanitarian crisis. Prior to the earthquake, the United Nations estimated that more than 3 million people had already been displaced and nearly 20 million required humanitarian aid across the country.
Complicating relief efforts is the ongoing internal conflict. In a rare move, the military government declared a temporary nationwide ceasefire on Wednesday, effective until April 22, to facilitate aid deliveries. Armed resistance groups have reportedly agreed to the pause, but the junta warned it reserves the right to act against any factions that exploit the ceasefire to regroup or launch attacks.
In neighboring Thailand, the earthquake also caused deadly damage. In Bangkok, a high-rise building under construction collapsed during the tremors, killing 22 people and injuring at least 35. Rescue teams are still searching for survivors, and officials reported detecting possible signs of life in the rubble, according to Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt.
International aid organizations have urged both the military and resistance groups to ensure safe passage for humanitarian assistance as the region grapples with the dual challenges of disaster recovery and armed conflict.
