Myanmar earthquake latest updates: Over 1,600 dead in Myanmar, Thailand; India sends humanitarian aid under Operation Brahma

A devastatingly powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.7 hit Myanmar and its neighbouring country Thailand on Friday, March 28 destroying buildings, roads, a bridge and a dam. The death toll in Myanmar jumped over 1,600 on Saturday, March 29.

Myanmar’s military-led government said on state television that over 1,600 people have been found dead, while the number of injured increased to 3,408 and the missing figure rose to 139, as per an AP report.

Just a few hours earlier, the death toll stood at 1,002, and the government had stated that the numbers could even rise as detailed figures are still being collected.

Rescue operations are going on, especially in major cities struck by the earthquake, Mandalay and Myanmar's capital Naypyitaw. Although teams and medical equipment for assistance have been flown in from other nations, damaged airports unfit to land planes are becoming hindrances to the relief effort.

Myanmar earthquake: Key things to know

• A 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar on Friday, March 28 with its epicenter located in Mandalay at a depth of 10 kilometers, around 12:50 pm local time (0620 GMT), according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Several aftershocks followed with one of them measuring as powerful as 6.4 magnitude.

• The earthquake sent many high-rise buildings toppling to the ground, buckled roads, caused bridges to collapse and destroyed a dam. On Saturday, crews worked in Myanmar’s capital Naypyidaw to repair damaged roads. Electricity phone and internet services remained affected throughout the capital.

• Myanmar had already been suffering from a massive humanitarian crisis due to a prolonged civil war. This has not only resulted in a major difficulty in movement around the country, but it has also complicated relief efforts for the country.

• The earthquake also impacted neighbouring country Thailand with the greater impact felt in Bangkok, which is home to 17 million people. Over 10 people were confirmed dead in the collapse of a skyscraper near Bangkok’s popular Chatuchak market and more than 70 are missing, possibly trapped in the rubble of the fall. Dramatic videos have been going viral on social media showing buildings collapsing, including a 30-storey government office under construction.

• Earthquakes aren’t uncommon in Myanmar as it lies in a seismically active zone. The city of Mandalay has seen many dangerous earthquakes in the past. However, quakes remain rare in Thailand.

• Myanmar’s military government has allowed for international assistance amid the disaster. "We have permitted India and ASEAN to provide help. We invite any country and any organisation to help and donate,” media reports quoted Myanmar’s Junta Chief.

• Mild tremors were experienced in India and China as well. West Bengal’s Kolkata and Manipur’s Imphal felt tremors with no damage to property or loss of life in the cities. The earthquake was also felt in China's southwest Yunnan, media reports cited Beijing's earthquake agency.

International aid to Myanmar

Myanmar's largest suppliers of weapons China and Russia were among the first ones to send humanitarian aid to the country, the AP report noted. China has sent over 135 rescue personnel and experts along with medical kits and generators. Russia’s Emergencies Ministry said that it has sent 120 rescuers and supplies, the report noted.

South Korea said it would send $2 million worth of humanitarian aid through international organisations, while the UN allocated $5 million to start relief efforts in the earthquake-affected region.

In a post on social media platform X, India’s prime minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to providing humanitarian aid.

"Concerned by the situation in the wake of the Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Praying for the safety and well-being of everyone. India stands ready to offer all possible assistance. In this regard, asked our authorities to be on standby. Also asked the MEA to remain in touch with the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand," he wrote in the post on Friday.

On Saturday, PM Modi spoke to the head of Myanmar’s military-led government Min Aung Hlaing and said that India stands in solidarity with the country in dealing with the aftermath of the disaster.

"Spoke with Senior General H.E. Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar. Conveyed our deep condolences for the loss of lives in the devastating earthquake. As a close friend and neighbour, India stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar in this difficult hour,” he wrote in a post on X.

PM Modi further said that India is sending relief material, humanitarian assistance, and search and rescue teams to the affected areas as part of 'Operation Brahma'.

Fifteen tonnes of relief material have already been delivered to Myanmar under Operation Brahma. India sent relief materials to Myanmar's Yangon in a C130J military transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force.

The relief supplies included tents, sleeping bags, blankets, ready-to-eat meals, water purifiers, solar lamps, generator sets and essential medicines, a PTI report quoted officials as saying. Two more IAF aircraft are being prepared with relief material and planes are scheduled to fly from Hindon Air Force Station soon, the officials added.

"#OperationBrahma gets underway. First tranche of humanitarian aid from India has reached the Yangon Airport in Myanmar," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a post on X.