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Earthquake hits Myanmar and Thailand, killing greater than 150 individuals

Earthquake hits Myanmar and Thailand, killing greater than 150 individuals

Featured, USA4 months ago20 Views

A strong earthquake struck Southeast Asia on Friday, killing over 140 individuals in Myanmar and injuring a whole bunch as authorities in Thailand looked for dozens of individuals trapped below the rubble of a collapsed skyscraper in Bangkok.

The 7.7 magnitude earthquake – centered in Myanmar – struck round lunchtime and was adopted by a number of tremors, together with a 6.4 magnitude aftershock.

Not less than 144 individuals in Myanmar have been killed and 732 injured, the pinnacle of the nation’s military-run authorities mentioned, warning these figures are anticipated to rise. A lot of the destruction occurred in Mandalay, the war-torn nation’s second largest metropolis.

In Bangkok, a whole bunch of miles from the epicenter, rescue groups searched by way of the rubble of collapsed high-rise constructing the place at the least 110 individuals had been trapped. Bangkok’s Deputy Governor Tavida Kamolvej informed Reuters at the least eight individuals had been killed within the collapse and a ninth particular person died in one other location of town.

Photos from Myanmar present buildings decreased to rubble, cracked roads and collapsed bridges. A bit of a mosque toppled within the city of Tuangoo, killing at the least three individuals. Within the city of Aung Ban, a resort collapsed, leaving at the least two individuals lifeless and about 20 injured.

Myanmar’s military-run authorities declared a state of emergency in six areas. Earlier than the earthquake, Myanmar was already experiencing a humanitarian disaster amid a yearslong civil battle that broke out after the navy junta seized energy in a coup in 2021.

Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson of the navy authorities, known as on different international locations to supply support and requested residents to donate blood as a consequence of “so many” accidents.

Trump says US will assist Myanmar

President Donald Trump mentioned Friday that the USA will help Myanmar within the aftermath of the devastating earthquake.

“We will be serving to,” he informed reporters on the White Home. “We have already spoken with the nation.”

Trump’s dedication comes as a number of worldwide humanitarian organizations additionally vowed to help Myanmar, together with the United Nations, Medical doctors With out Borders, and the Worldwide Federation of Purple Cross and Purple Crescent Societies.

Earlier this month, a United Nations humanitarian skilled mentioned the Trump administration’s cuts to U.S. international support had been negatively impacting the individuals of Myanmar. Thomas Andrews, an impartial human rights monitor with the U.N., mentioned individuals within the nation misplaced entry to medical care and a few sufferers with HIV have been unable to take their medicines for weeks.

“The sudden chaotic withdrawal of assist − principally by the U.S. authorities − is already having a crushing influence on the individuals of Myanmar,” he mentioned.

Junta chief requests assist from worldwide neighborhood after quake

In a televised speech, Junta chief Common Min Aung Hlaing invited “any nation” to help the struggling nation with humanitarian support and mentioned he had opened routes for worldwide help.

Hlaing, who’s the topic of an arrest warrant request from the Worldwide Felony Courtroom, has lengthy opposed help from international international locations, particularly the supply of support to areas the place anti-junta insurgent teams are lively.

His mass invitation and willingness to open humanitarian routes signifies the severity of the destruction. An evaluation from the U.S. Geological Survey estimated there might be 1000’s of deaths and extreme financial loss within the aftermath of the earthquake.

Extent of the harm in Myanmar is probably not clear ‘for a while’

A transparent understanding of the harm and loss throughout Myanmar is probably not clear “for a while,” mentioned Amnesty Worldwide’s Myanmar Researcher Joe Freeman, citing the navy authorities’s heavy restrictions of media and web entry.

“That there seem like extra photographs and data popping out of Thailand than the epicentre in Myanmar is a startling reminder of the navy’s crushing of press freedom because the 2021 coup,” he mentioned in a press release.

Freeman mentioned the earthquake has devastated a rustic already reeling from a civil battle that is left 3 million residents internally displaced and over a 3rd of the inhabitants in dire want of humanitarian help. He known as on the navy to permit “unimpeded entry to all humanitarian organizations.”

“This earthquake couldn’t come at a worse time for Myanmar,” Freeman mentioned.

Thailand’s prime minister says hazard has begun to ease

In Thailand, the earthquakes triggered college closures and evacuations of excessive rise buildings, particularly within the capital of Bangkok, which was deemed an “emergency zone.”

Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra informed residents Friday night that the earthquake harm was restricted and aftershocks will weaken, including that there’s no threat of tsunamis.

“It’s now secure for everybody to return to their lodging,” Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra mentioned in a press release. “The buildings with points are these below building, the place each structural integrity and wall stability are considerations.”

Contributing: Reuters