The death toll from a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar has jumped to over 700, while 1670 people are injured, the government said on Saturday.
The earthquake struck midday Friday with an epicentre not far from Mandalay, Myanmar’s second biggest city, sending buildings in many areas toppling to the ground and causing widespread damage.
The head of Myanmar’s military government, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, said in a rare television broadcast Friday that the death toll was expected to rise as he reported an initial 144 people found dead.
The earthquake also shook neighbouring Thailand, killing six people and injuring 26 at three construction sites, including one where a partially built high-rise collapsed. Another 47 people were still missing, authorities said Saturday.
The US Geological Survey, an American government science agency, estimated that the death toll could top 1000.
In Mandalay, the earthquake reportedly brought down multiple buildings, including one of the city’s largest monasteries.
Photos from the capital city of Naypyidaw showed rescue crews pulling victims from the rubble of multiple buildings used to house civil servants.
Myanmar’s government said blood was in high demand in the hardest-hit areas. In a country where prior governments sometimes have been slow to accept foreign aid, Min Aung Hlaing said Myanmar was ready to accept assistance.
The United Nations allocated US$5 million to start relief efforts.
