Earthquake in Myanmar: Death toll exceeds 3,000, rescue operation at risk
Photo: The number of earthquake victims in Myanmar has exceeded 3 thousand people (Getty Images)
The death toll from the devastating earthquake in Myanmar has risen to 3,003 people, with 4,515 others reported as injured. Rescue operations are ongoing, but weather conditions may complicate the efforts, the Myanmar Embassy in Japan reports.
According to the embassy, 4,515 people were injured as a result of the earthquake in Myanmar. Rescue operations continue.
Myanmar declared a period of mourning for the victims from March 31 to April 4.
According to Reuters, citing a worker from a humanitarian organization in Myanmar, the rescue operation may be at risk due to the possibility of rain. Forecasters predict that precipitation is expected from April 6 to April 11 and will affect the areas most severely hit by the earthquake, namely Mandalay, Sikkim, and the capital Naypyitaw.
The rains may significantly complicate the rescue of people still trapped under the rubble.
"Rain is coming, and there are still so many people under the rubble. And in Mandalay, especially, if the rain starts, people who haven't been rescued yet will drown, even if they've survived until this point," explained the humanitarian worker.
Devastating earthquake in Myanmar
Nearly a week ago, on March 28, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck Myanmar. The tremor was also felt in Thailand, China, India, and other countries in the region.
The earthquake caused widespread destruction, and a week after the tragedy, rescue teams are still digging through the rubble in Myanmar.
Initially, experts predicted that over a thousand people might have died due to the earthquake, but, as of now, the death toll has exceeded 3,000.
