The death toll following the Myanmar-Thailand earthquake could near 10,000, warns USGS
GUWAHATI, March 29: The death toll due to the 7.7 magnitude Myanmar-Thailand earthquake has crossed 1,000 while causing massive destruction in both countries, more in Myanmar where the quakes were epicentered.
Over 1,000 killed, more than 2,000 injured
The ruling junta said this morning that while the death toll has crossed the 1000 mark, over 2,000 people have been injured in the country.
The quake caused extensive damage to property in Myanmar as many buildings collapsed and turned into a heal of mangled rubble, trapping people inside.
8 aftershocks jolt Myanmar since 7.7 Magnitude first earthquake
Interestingly, as many as nine earthquakes, including the first one measuring 7.7 on the Richter Scale according to US Geological Survey or USGS, struck Myanmar with hospitals in the country witnessing a mad rush of injured people with many of them battling for life.
15-tonne aid from India reaches Yangon
Meanwhile, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced all possible help to the quake-hit nation following the devastating Myanmar-Thailand earthquake, about 15-tonne relief material from India arrived in Yangon this morning. The aid materials included ready-to-eat meals, tents, solar lamps, generator sets, medicines etc.
“#OperationBrahma gets underway. First tranche of humanitarian aid from India has reached the Yangon Airport in Myanmar,” External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar stated in a post on ‘X’.
8 deaths in Thailand
In Thailand, 8 people died while over 320 were injured following the massive earthquake, strong tremors of which were felt in Bangkok.
The most chilling images of devastation from Bangkok where from the collapse of a 30-storey under-construction high-rise building which came down like a pack of cards, forcing people nearing its vicinity to scurry for cover.
The massive building, constructed to house government offices, came crashing down after the first earthquake struck.
Death toll could near 10,000: USGS
The United States Geological Survey has, meanwhile, warned that the death toll could near 10,000 as the toll, particularly in worst-hit Myanmar where the quakes were epicentered, continues to climb rapidly.
