Myanmar disaster: Death toll rises to 17 in Bangkok earthquake

Myanmar disaster: Death toll rises to 17 in Bangkok earthquake! The death toll in Bangkok from the massive earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand has risen to 17, city authorities reported on Sunday. The powerful quake, measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, struck on Friday, causing widespread devastation in the region.

According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority, 32 people sustained injuries, while 83 remain unaccounted for. Many of the missing individuals were at a 30-storey tower block under construction, which collapsed during the earthquake. Emergency response teams are continuing their search-and-rescue efforts to locate survivors in the rubble.

Myanmar Faces Widespread Devastation

Myanmar bore the brunt of the earthquake, with over 1,600 people confirmed dead and countless others injured. The disaster has exacerbated the hardships in the war-torn nation, where infrastructure is already fragile due to ongoing conflict. The earthquake caused buildings to collapse, roads to crack, and power outages across several cities.

Bangkok earthquake

Rescue operations in Myanmar have been hampered by a lack of resources and damaged transportation routes. The country’s military junta, which has been ruling the nation under strict control, made a rare appeal for international assistance in the wake of the tragedy.

UK Pledges Humanitarian Aid

In response to the disaster, the UK has pledged £10 million ($12.9 million) in humanitarian aid to support relief efforts in Myanmar. The funding will be directed towards essential supplies such as food, water, medicine, and shelter for the affected population.

“This UK funding will increase support in the hardest-hit areas of the earthquake and is geared towards food and water supplies, medicine, and shelter,” stated the UK foreign office in an official statement.

Jennifer Chapman, the UK’s development minister, expressed her condolences to the people of Myanmar. “I offer my deepest sympathies to the people of Myanmar after this tragic event,” she said, emphasizing the urgency of humanitarian relief efforts.

International Response and Challenges

The international community has been closely monitoring the situation in Myanmar and Thailand. Various humanitarian organizations and governments have expressed their willingness to provide aid. However, logistical challenges remain due to the region’s political instability and damaged infrastructure.

Myanmar’s ruling junta, which has faced sanctions from the UK and other nations due to human rights concerns, now finds itself in an unusual position—relying on foreign aid for disaster relief. Despite its history of restricting international intervention, the military-led government has recognized the severity of the crisis and is allowing some aid to enter the country.

Ongoing Rescue Efforts and Future Concerns

As search and rescue efforts continue, authorities fear the death toll may rise further. In Bangkok, emergency workers are racing against time to find survivors beneath the collapsed building, while in Myanmar, rescuers are struggling to navigate through heavily affected areas.

The disaster has also raised concerns about the region’s preparedness for such powerful earthquakes. With Myanmar and Thailand sitting on a seismically active zone, experts stress the importance of investing in stronger infrastructure and emergency response systems to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

In the coming days, international relief efforts will play a crucial role in providing aid to those affected. While immediate rescue operations remain the top priority, long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts will be necessary to help the region recover from this devastating event.