Death toll from Myanmar earthquake exceeds 3,000

The number of people confirmed dead in Myanmar has currently reached 2,719, with 4,521 others injured and 441 more unaccounted for

Myanmar’s authorities estimate that the death toll from a devastating earthquake that hit the country may exceed 3,000 people, Prime Minister of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing said on Tuesday.

As usual India became the first responder and has immediately airlifted the first tranche of relief material followed by aid being sea lifted by the Indian Navy.

India mounted its relief mission named ‘Operation Brahma’ as a swift response to the devastation caused by the earthquake on Friday.

On Monday a fresh tranche of 50 tonnes of relief materials to Myanmar to help victims of the 7.7-magnitude earthquake.

The relief materials were taken to the Myanmarese city of Yangon by two Indian Navy ships — INS Satpura and INS Savitri.

Three more Indian Navy ships — INS Karmukh, INS Gharial and LCU-52 — are enroute to Yangon with over 500 tonnes of additional aid material, officials said.

The number of people confirmed dead in Myanmar has currently reached 2,719, with 4,521 others injured and 441 more unaccounted for.

However, the death toll is expected to exceed 3,000, Reuters wrote, citing the prime minister’s words.

A powerful earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28. According to various estimates, its magnitude varied between 7.7 and 7.9.

The first quake was followed by another one, with magnitude 6.4. The disaster also affected Thailand; tremors were felt in China and Vietnam.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to the prime minister of Myanmar over the devastating earthquake.

Russia’s Emergencies Ministry has sent planes carrying rescuers, dog handlers, and doctors to Myanmar to help address the aftermath of the disaster.