Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Surpasses 2,700, Aid Struggles

• Apr 01, 2025

The death toll from the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit Myanmar on Friday has surpassed 2,700, with thousands more injured and missing. The disaster, the strongest in the country in over 100 years, has left many survivors without food, shelter, or clean water, and aid efforts are being hampered by ongoing civil war in the country.

The earthquake struck around lunchtime on March 29, 2025, causing widespread destruction, including the collapse of ancient pagodas and modern buildings in Myanmar’s Mandalay area, which is near the epicenter. As of Tuesday, Myanmar's military leader Min Aung Hlaing confirmed that 2,719 people have been confirmed dead, while over 4,500 have been injured. More than 400 people are still missing, and the death toll is expected to rise further.

In Mandalay, the collapse of a preschool tragically claimed the lives of 50 children and two teachers. The United Nations has reported that communities in the hardest-hit areas are struggling to meet basic needs, such as access to clean water and sanitation. Emergency teams are working relentlessly to locate survivors and provide essential aid.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) stated that shelter, food, water, and medical supplies are urgently needed in places like Mandalay. Many survivors are now fearing aftershocks and have been forced to sleep outside, in fields, or on roads.

However, the ongoing civil war in Myanmar, which began after the military junta seized power in a 2021 coup, is making relief efforts more difficult. Amnesty International has called on the junta to allow humanitarian aid to reach areas controlled by rebel groups, which are currently being denied access. The military has also conducted airstrikes in some of these areas since the quake struck.

The earthquake's damage to infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, combined with the junta’s tight control over communication networks, has further complicated the efforts of aid organizations.

Meanwhile, search and rescue operations continue in neighboring Thailand, where rescuers are scouring the rubble of a collapsed skyscraper in Bangkok. Although hopes are dimming, rescue teams remain determined to search for any remaining survivors.