Regime media reported on Saturday that at least 1,002 bodies have been recovered from the areas of Myanmar impacted by Friday’s 7.7 magnitude earthquake. It added that at least 2,376 people have been injured, and 30 people are still missing. It was one of the most powerful earthquakes to hit Myanmar since 1912, when an 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck Mandalay, the country’s second largest city.
“I have learned that the earthquake was very strong with many aftershocks. The most affected [areas] are Naypyidaw, Sagaing, and Mandalay,” said regime leader Min Aung Hlaing during a televised speech on the evening of March 28, after making a request for emergency international assistance.
His regime declared a state of emergency in six regions and states, including Sagaing, the epicenter of the earthquake, as well neighboring Mandalay, Magway and Bago regions. Naypyidaw, where videos circulated on social media showing roads and highways destroyed, and Shan State, where a hotel in Aungban Township collapsed killing at least four, were some of the hardest hit areas of the country.
The National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management stated that at least 469 people have been killed with 1,822 injured. Another 223 were still missing as of its initial report on March 29. It added that around 3,000 residential buildings, 95 Buddhist temples, and 50 mosques were destroyed by the March 28 earthquake.
