Over 2,000 Dead in Myanmar Earthquake... "At Least 10,000 Fatalities"

International Aid Hampered by Infrastructure Destruction and Communication Disruptions
Airstrikes Against Rebel Forces Continue Even After Major Earthquake

On the 28th (local time), the death toll from the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Myanmar surpassed 2,000.

On the 30th, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the Myanmar military government confirmed at least 2,028 deaths and 3,408 injuries.

Myanmar Mandalay Earthquake Damage Site. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

WSJ predicted that the death toll would sharply increase as the "golden time" of 72 hours, during which people trapped under debris have a high chance of survival, approaches.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimated a 71% probability that the death toll from this earthquake would exceed 10,000. The probability of more than 100,000 deaths was 36%, and the probability of deaths between 10,000 and 100,000 was 35%. The economic losses caused by the earthquake are expected to exceed Myanmar's gross domestic product (GDP).

Kara Bragg, a Myanmar official from Catholic Relief Services, said she received reports from colleagues in Mandalay that "at least 10,000 people are believed to have died."

Relief workers in Mandalay told WSJ that thousands of residents are sleeping outdoors and that water, food, and essential supplies are all in short supply. Since the earthquake, Mandalay has been without electricity.

Thailand, China, India, Russia, and the United Nations have provided relief supplies and personnel to Myanmar. However, due to severe infrastructure damage and communication disruptions, international aid has not been able to reach the affected areas. WSJ reported that local volunteers conducting initial search and rescue operations are digging through building debris with their bare hands, without heavy equipment or protective gear.

Amid the civil war that has plagued Myanmar since the military coup in 2021, the earthquake has further intensified the suffering of the Myanmar people. According to the United Nations, about 3.5 million people have become refugees due to the civil war. The Myanmar military appears to have continued airstrikes against rebel forces even after the earthquake. On the same day, Reuters reported that the Karen National Union (KNU), one of the main rebel groups opposing the Myanmar military, issued a statement saying, "Despite the immense suffering caused by the earthquake, the military regime continues airstrikes targeting civilian areas."

International organizations have called for urgent support for Myanmar. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Myanmar earthquake a "Level 3 Emergency," the highest emergency level, and requested $8 million (approximately 1.18 billion KRW) in emergency funding. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) also launched an emergency fundraising campaign worth 100 million Swiss francs (approximately 170 billion KRW) to assist earthquake victims in Myanmar.

Michael Dunford, head of the World Food Programme (WFP) in Myanmar, stated that initial assessments indicate a need for $15 to $20 million per month until the end of June. However, as major donor countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom reduce funding to the United Nations, securing such support is expected to become more difficult.

They are concerned that delays in rescue efforts will lead to greater damage. WHO stated, "If immediate funding is not provided, more lives will be lost, and the already fragile health system risks collapse." IFRC said, "With rising temperatures and the monsoon season approaching in a few weeks, urgent support is needed before a secondary crisis occurs."

At around 12:50 p.m. on the 28th, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck 33 km southwest of Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city in the central region. The earthquake also caused a 30-story building under construction in Bangkok, Thailand, to collapse, resulting in casualties. According to Bangkok city authorities, 17 people died and 32 were injured.