Bangkok (AP) – The number of deaths in a Powerful Stream 7.7 magnitude In Myanmar, jumped nearly 700 Saturdays while more and more bodies were drawn from the rubble of dozens of buildings which collapsed when he struck near the second city in the country.
MRTV public television reported that 694 people have now been found dead and 1,670 injured, with 68 other missing, according to a government statement led by the soldiers. The same figures were also reported by the independent information site The Irrawaddy.
Myanmar is plagued by a prolonged and bloodywhich is already responsible for a massive humanitarian crisis. This makes movement across the country that is both difficult and dangerous, complicating rescue efforts and raising fears that the number of deaths can still increase.
The earthquake struck at noon on Friday with an epicenter not far from Mandalay, followed by several aftershocks, including one measuring a high magnitude of 6.4. He sent buildings in many areas reversing to the ground, completed the roads, caused the bridges collapsed and broke out a dam.
The head of military government of Myanmar, the main general Min Aung Hlaing, said in a rare television program Friday, the number of deaths was to increase when he reported that 144 people were found dead.
In neighboring Thailand, the Quake has shaken the Grand Bangkok region, which houses some 17 million people – many of whom live in high -rise buildings – and other parts of the country.
The authorities of the city of Bangkok have so far said that six people had been found dead, 26 injured and 47 are still missing, most of them on a construction site near the Chatchak popular market in the capital.
When the earthquake struck, the 33-story skyscraper being built by a Chinese company for the Thai government has won, then crashed on the ground in a massive plume of dust that sent people to scream and flee the scene.
On Saturday, more heavy equipment was brought to move the tons of rubble, but the hope was upset with friends and family members of the missing that they would be found alive.
“I was praying for them to survive but when I got here and I saw the ruin-where could they be? In what corner? Are they still alive? I always pray that all six are alive,” said Naruemol Thonglek, 45, sobbing while she was waiting for her partner, who is myanmar, and five friends who worked on the site.
“I can’t accept this. When I see this, I can’t accept this. A close friend is there too, ”she said.
Waenphet Panta said that she hadn’t heard of her daughter Kanlayanee for a phone call about an hour before the earthquake. A friend said Kanlayanee had worked at the top of the building on Friday.
“I pray that my daughter is safe, that she has survived and that she was in the hospital,” she said, Kanlayanee’s father sitting next to her.
The Myanmar government Said blood was in high demand in the hardest affected areas. In a country where previous governments have sometimes been slow to accept foreign aid, Min Aung Hlaing said myanmar was ready to accept assistance.
A team of 37 members of the Chinese province of Yunnan reached Yangon city on Saturday with earthquake detectors, drones and other supplies, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
The Ministry of Emergency of Russia has sent two planes carrying 120 rescuers and supplies, according to a report by the Russian TASS state news.
India has sent a research and rescue team and a medical team as well as arrangements, while the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said that the country would send 50 people on Sunday to help identify and provide assistance to the most affected areas.
The United Nations allocated $ 5 million to start rescue efforts. President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States would help the answer, but some experts were concerned about this effort given the profound cuts of his administration in foreign assistance.
The Trump administration cuts to the American agency for international development have already forced the United Nations and non -governmental organization to reduce many programs in Myanmar.
___
The AP Jerry Harmer and Grant Peck screenwriters in Bangkok contributed to this report.
