Over 1,000 Dead in Myanmar Earthquake... "Casualties Still Being Count"

Death Toll Expected to Rise Further

The death toll from the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that occurred in Myanmar has surpassed 1,000. Concerns are rising that the number of casualties may continue to increase as aftershocks persist.

The rescue team is searching for people buried at the collapse site caused by the earthquake on the 29th. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

According to AFP and other news agencies, on the 29th (local time), the Myanmar military regime announced in a statement that it had confirmed 1,002 deaths and 3,378 casualties. The death toll surged sevenfold from the 144 deaths initially reported by Min Aung Hlaing, the commander-in-chief and head of the Myanmar military regime, on the 28th.

The number of deaths is increasing as bodies are being found among the rubble of numerous collapsed buildings in Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, which is close to the epicenter. The military regime indicated that "detailed figures are still being compiled," suggesting that the casualty count could rise further.

The earthquake struck at around 12:50 p.m. on the 28th near Mandalay, central Myanmar, approximately 33 km from the city, registering a magnitude of 7.7. This caused many buildings to collapse and people to be buried under debris. Subsequently, there were 12 aftershocks ranging in magnitude from 2.8 to 7.5.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimated in its report on the earthquake that there is a 71% probability that the death toll will exceed 10,000. The probability of deaths exceeding 100,000 is 36%, while the probability of deaths ranging between 10,000 and 100,000 is 35%.

Additionally, the economic losses caused by this earthquake are expected to exceed Myanmar's gross domestic product (GDP). The probability that the losses will exceed $100 billion (approximately 147 trillion KRW) is 33%, while the probability of losses between $10 billion and $100 billion (14 trillion to 147 trillion KRW) is 35%.

As the scale of the earthquake damage grows, the international community has begun providing support for rescue and recovery operations. The United Nations (UN) has allocated $5 million (approximately 740 million KRW) for Myanmar's recovery efforts and plans to assess the scope of humanitarian needs through local staff. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated, "Myanmar's humanitarian situation, already dire due to civil war and other factors, will worsen further because of the earthquake."

Countries around the world have also pledged support for Myanmar. A team of 37 people from China arrived in Yangon this morning with earthquake detectors, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), and other supplies. India has sent search and rescue teams, medical teams, and food supplies, while Malaysia will dispatch 50 support personnel on the 30th. South Korea is providing humanitarian aid worth $2 million (approximately 2.9 billion KRW) to Myanmar.