The number of people killed in Myanmar following a powerful earthquake has risen to 694, and 1,670 others injured, according to the country’s military government.
The head of the military government has confirmed a further 68 are missing and has ordered a prompt rescue effort following the 7.7 magnitude quake.
It struck at around 12.50pm local time (6.20am UK time) on Friday at a shallow depth of six miles.
The quake’s epicentre was about 10 miles from the second city of Mandalay.
There were also aftershocks, with one measuring a strong 6.4 magnitude 12 minutes later.
China‘s president Xi Jinping has sent a message of condolence to Myanmar’s leader after the earthquake.
A Chinese rescue team arrived in Yangon, Myanmar’s former capital, early on Saturday while Russia and the US have also offered to provide humanitarian assistance and relief.
Neighbouring Thailand was also affected by the quake, leaving eight people dead, eight injured and 79 missing.
Buildings in five of Myanmar‘s cities and towns collapsed, along with a railway bridge and a road bridge on the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway, state media reported.
Recalling the moment they left their home in Mandalay, one resident said they “ran out of the house as everything started shaking”.
They added that they “witnessed a five-storey building collapse in front of [their] eyes”.
“Everyone in my town is out on the road and no one dares to go back inside buildings.”
The natural disaster – the largest earthquake in this region in nearly 80 years – comes as the country is in the grip of a civil war.
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The ruling military junta said a state of emergency has been declared in Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, Magway Region and northeastern Shan State, Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, and Bago Region.
“The government has ordered a rapid investigation of the damage in these areas,” the junta added in a statement.
“We will carry out relief and relief operations promptly. We will also work to provide necessary disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.”
The Red Cross has said their teams’ attempts to reach Mandalay and Sagaing regions and the southern Shan state are made more challenging by downed power lines.
