Myanmar, Thailand earthquake: WHO declares state of emergency, death toll passes 1,700

 

 

 

Bangkok: The World Health Organization has declared the Myanmar earthquake a state of emergency. It has urgently appealed for $8 million in the next 30 days to save lives and prevent the spread of the disease. So far, 1,700 people have been confirmed dead in Myanmar. About 3,400 people have been injured. The government has said that about 300 people are missing.

With communications systems down, the true extent of the disaster is only just emerging as rescue operations are underway, including in isolated areas, and the death toll is likely to rise. Most of the deaths were in Myanmar. International media reported that rescue operations in Myanmar are slow. A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck at 12:50 p.m. on Friday. Minutes later, a 6.7-magnitude aftershock and a series of smaller earthquakes followed.

Tremors were felt in western India, eastern China, Cambodia and Laos. The ongoing civil war in Myanmar has also been blamed for weakening emergency services. Ten people were killed in an earthquake in neighboring Thailand. Reports emerged that a multi-storey building under construction near Chatuchak Market in Bangkok collapsed, trapping about 100 workers in the rubble. Several countries, including India and the United States, have come forward to provide aid to Myanmar.