Death toll from Myanmar earthquake surpasses 1,700

Members of a China search and rescue team transfer a pregnant survivor from a collapsed building in the aftermath of an earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar, Monday, March 31, 2025. (Myo Kyaw Soe-Xinhua via AP)_11zon

The death toll from the devastating earthquake in Myanmar has surpassed 1,700, with more bodies recovered from the rubble, according to the military-led government.

Government spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun reported that 3,400 people have been injured, and over 300 are still missing. The military had earlier reported 1,644 deaths but did not provide specific figures in the latest update.

The 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck on Friday at noon, causing extensive damage, including to the capital Naypyidaw and the second-largest city, Mandalay. It coincided with the Friday prayers for Myanmar's Muslim minority during Ramadan, and around 700 worshippers were killed when mosques collapsed, according to Tun Kyi from the Spring Revolution Myanmar Muslim Network. It is unclear whether these deaths are included in the official toll.

Tun Kyi also stated that around 60 mosques were damaged or destroyed, with videos from The Irrawaddy showing mosques collapsing and people fleeing the area. In Mandalay, 270 monks were taking an exam at U Hla Thein monastery when the building collapsed. Rescue teams on the ground reported that 70 monks managed to escape, but 50 have been found dead, with 150 still missing.

The full extent of the destruction remains unclear, as communication breakdowns and difficulties in movement have hindered assessments. “We’re still uncertain about the full scale of the destruction,” said Lauren Ellery, deputy director for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Myanmar. The IRC, along with local partners, is focusing on emergency medical care, humanitarian aid, and identifying areas of greatest need.

Reports suggest that some towns near Mandalay have suffered catastrophic damage, with up to 80% of buildings collapsing, but slow communication has meant little coverage of this. Landslides in less-impacted areas have also hindered rescue efforts. The earthquake's epicentre, near Mandalay, caused significant structural damage, including to the city’s airport. An AI analysis from Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab revealed that 515 buildings in Mandalay sustained near-total damage, while 1,524 others experienced moderate damage. A preliminary estimate indicates 180,004 buildings with minimal damage.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that three hospitals were destroyed and 22 others partially damaged. The WHO warns that the number of casualties is expected to rise, and that healthcare facilities in the affected regions are overwhelmed, struggling to manage the influx of the injured. There is an urgent need for trauma care, surgical supplies, and mental health support.

The lack of heavy machinery has hampered search and rescue operations, forcing workers to painstakingly search through debris by hand in the intense heat, with temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F). International aid teams from countries such as Russia, China, India, and several Southeast Asian nations are now on-site. An Indian rescue team in Mandalay used power tools to clear debris, retrieving bodies and sending them to ambulances.

Countries like the European Union, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea have pledged millions of dollars in aid, either directly or through local and international partners. U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed willingness to assist, but no aid has yet reached Myanmar. A small group of U.S. military personnel was deployed to Bangkok, where the earthquake also caused fatalities, particularly at a construction site where a high-rise collapsed.

The earthquake occurred along the Sagaing Fault, a significant fault line that runs through Myanmar, and was triggered by a rupture over a 200-kilometer (125-mile) stretch. The affected areas include Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, Bago, and Shan State. In addition to the earthquake, rescue efforts are complicated by the ongoing civil war in the country. Since the military coup in 2021, Myanmar has experienced widespread armed resistance, with millions displaced and many areas inaccessible to aid organizations.

Ellery of IRC noted that the earthquake hit an area already severely impacted by last year’s flooding, where many displaced people had sought refuge. Since the earthquake, many survivors have been forced to sleep outdoors due to destroyed homes or the threat of aftershocks. With the monsoon season approaching in May, providing shelter will be a critical challenge.

“For now, our focus is on immediate relief efforts,” she said.