The death toll from Myanmar’s earthquake has risen to 3,003, with more than 4,500 injured, local media reported.
The two main armed resistance groups battling the military, which seized power in 2021 from Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government, have announced a ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian aid in the wake of the quake. The ceasefire will last until April 22, with all state forces deployed to deal with the earthquake and provide aid to citizens.
The magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28. The epicentre was 17 km from Mandalay, the second largest city in the country with a population of 1.5 million. The tremors were felt in Thailand, China and Vietnam. According to the UN, more than 3 million people were forced to leave their homes.
Russia, India, China, Malaysia sent rescuers to Myanmar, while the US, the European Union and the UK sent humanitarian aid.
Myanmar authorities have declared mourning until April 6. Thousands of buildings and homes, roads and bridges have been destroyed in the country, and many areas are without electricity and communications.
According to Dailynews, the death toll in Bangkok has risen to 22, with another 34 people injured. A 30-storey skyscraper under construction collapsed in the city.
