Tue, 05/06/2025 - 15:02
Natural disasters are not to tremble, but everyone must be aware of essential measures such as preparing based on reliable information and forecasts from relevant authorities, taking proper shelter, conducting timely search and rescue operations, and ensuring effective relief and rehabilitation efforts in the aftermath of incidents.
At 12:51:02 pm on 28 March, a very strong and regrettable earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 on the Richter Scale struck, centred at a depth of 10 kilometres. The epicentre was approximately 21 kilometres northeast of the Mandalay seismic station and about 20 kilometres northeast of Mandalay city, at coordinates 22.09° North Latitude and 96.23° East Longitude. Following the main quake, about three aftershocks were recorded.
A lot of buildings, including the old Sagaing Bridge across the Ayeyawady River, were damaged, leaving some casualties. Hospitals in the Mandalay and Sagaing Regions are full of patients who sustained injuries in the earthquakes as it was an unprecedented experience. These hospitals urgently need blood for patient care. Authorities have urged volunteers to donate blood to help save lives and treat the injured in time. Hence, people have to lend a helping hand to each other.
That is why the Information Team of the State Administration Council stated that the National Disaster Management Committee has declared a state of emergency in the earthquake-affected areas of Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, Magway Region, northeastern Shan State, Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, and Bago Region.
The government has stated that it will promptly investigate the damages and losses in the affected areas and swiftly carry out relief and rescue operations. Necessary disaster relief and humanitarian assistance will be provided for the victims. The Disaster Management Committee will also continue to release timely updates as new information becomes available, according to the information team. The people have been urged to be mindful of potential rumours and to cooperate with the national government and local authorities in disaster relief and rescue operations.
Such an earthquake jolted not only parts of Myanmar but also some areas of China, Thailand, Laos, Bangladesh, and India. Hence, local and global donors need to provide necessary aid to earthquake victims of Myanmar to help rehabilitate their lives and ensure timely medical treatment for those affected. Only when everyone is united in conducting the search, rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts in a timely manner can they overcome the challenges posed by the powerful earthquake and aftershocks, ultimately creating a safe and stable environment for the people.
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Tue, 05/06/2025 - 15:01
As the Thai rescue team has completed its mission of conducting rescue operations in Myanmar, a ceremony to honour the Thai emergency rescue team took place at Zabuthiri Hall in Nay Pyi Taw Council Office yesterday morning, attended by Chairman of National Disaster Management Committee Vice-Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win.
They observe a minute of silence showing deepest sympathy and collective sorrow in remembrance of the lives lost and the damages caused by the severe earthquake.
At the ceremony, Chairman of the National Disaster Management Committee Vice-Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win spoke words of appreciation for the emergency rescue team of Thailand.
In his speech, the Vice-Senior General revealed that due to the earthquake, significant damage occurred in Mandalay, Sagaing, and Nay Pyi Taw. As of the present time, the records indicate that 3,455 people have died, 4,840 have been injured, and 214 are still missing.
He continued that the Thai search and rescue team comprising 55 members, five officials from the Thai Embassy and totalling 60 led by a Maj-Gen from the Office of the Chief of Defence Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces along with 4.99 kilogrammes of supporting equipment arrived at Nay Pyi Taw International Airport within 36 hours after the earthquake. Moreover, two planes carrying 4,372 kilogrammes of foods and general materials arrived in Myanmar on 30 March, two more planes bringing foods and general materials weighing 22,400 kilogrammes on 1 April and 4,700 kilogrammes of foods and general materials on 3 April, totalling 36,462 kilogrammes of foods and general materials. Among 26 countries which provide aid to Myanmar, Thailand is a good neighbour which provided emergency aid for Myanmar within 36 hours after the incident. So, Myanmar was proud of the efforts of Thailand in the special record. The Vice-Senior General expressed his thanks to the Thai rescue team for rescuing the individuals trapped under the dangerous buildings with the use of modern machinery from 3 pm on 30 March to 4 am on 31 March in Nay Pyi Taw.
Moreover, he emphasized the Thai Maj-Gen and party comforted patients at Zabuthiri General Hospital and tried hard to conduct rescue operations at the collapsed buildings on 31 March. On the same day, they provided healthcare to 36 staff and families at buildings No 2386 and 2387. Their mobile clinic also gave treatment to 175 people at the Dhammayon in Yanaung Ward 1 of Pyinmana on 1 April and in Ward 6 of Lewe on 2 April. Moreover, they donated foods and cash to Paukmyaing Monastery and Jamay Mosque in Lewe and Buddha Rekkhita Monastery in Ward 3.
The Vice-Senior General recounted that they also provided food for families of Daw Nyo who died from Ward 6 of Lewe, healthcare to 84 villagers from Myaukmyaik Village in Tatkon Township, medical treatment to 156 people in Kyitaung Village and food to Muntegwin and Sibinthaya villages.
While rescue operations are being carried out in Myanmar at this time, he revealed that it is also reported that in Thailand, at 1:25 pm on 28 March, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 struck, causing the collapse of a construction site at the township audit office in the Bang Sue Township of Bangkok. In this incident, 11 workers have died, nine have been injured, and about 76 are still missing. Rescue operations are ongoing. The building collapse has also been reported as a shocking and alarming incident online.
He noted that although such events are occurring within Thailand at this time, Myanmar is deeply grateful for the assistance and rescue efforts of Thailand with compassion by the King of Thailand Maha Vajiralongkorn, Queen Suthida, Prime Minister of Thailand Mrs Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Mr Maris Sangiampongsa, Chief of Defence Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Gen Songwit Noonpackdee, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army Gen Pana Klaewblaudtuk, and Thai Ambassador to Myanmar Mongkol Visitstump. In particular, Myanmar extends special gratitude to the Thai government delegation, led by Prime Minister Mrs Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who sent emergency rescue assistance to Myanmar. Myanmar also wishes to express additional thanks to the Chief of Defence Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces and the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army for their invaluable support.
Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung presented the commemorative medal to a representative of the Thai rescue team. Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Soe Win also gave commemorative gifts to the Thai rescue team.
Next, the Vice-Senior General served the Thai rescuers with food and cordially greeted them.
Search and Rescue Operations Standards (Assessment, Search & Rescue Level – ASR Level) comprises assessing the condition, location, and the potential for further hazards in the affected area (Wide Area Assessment), determining whether additional risks may occur at the level 1, measuring the information obtained from the Wide Area Assessment, identifying and assigning areas for search and rescue operations while ensuring safety measures for disaster risk management are followed at the level 2, prioritizing and rescuing injured individuals based on their condition, searching for and saving trapped patients, and performing life-saving operations at the level 3, ensuring all trapped individuals in collapsed or damaged buildings are accounted for by conducting a thorough search of the entire area using modern technology and equipment at the level 4 and prioritizing the final phase of search and rescue operations, which involves clearing debris, searching for survivors, and using vehicles/equipment to facilitate the removal and clearing of wreckage at the level 5.
The emergency rescue team of Thailand has completed their mission of search and rescue operations up to the search and rescue standard level 4 in the buildings they were assigned to. A new rescue team from Thailand will be arriving, which marks the transfer of responsibility. It has been reported that their duties have now concluded, and they are returning to Thailand.
MNA/TTA
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Tue, 05/06/2025 - 14:53
A team of construction experts, led by U Kyaw Myo Han, the Structure Design Engineer of the KMH Generation Structural Design Group, conducted inspections of Ministry buildings in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning to assess damage and structural integrity.
The team thoroughly examined the main hall on the ground floor of the Ministry of Information buildings. This included the offices of the News and Periodicals Enterprise, the Accounts Department, the Ministry’s library, and the Union Minister’s meeting room and office on the third floor. They also inspected the offices of the Deputy Minister, Secretary, and Deputy Secretary, among others, evaluating each room to determine the extent of any damage.
Since 1 April, two teams of experts from the KMH Generation Structural Design Group have inspected over 30 buildings within the Nay Pyi Taw Council Area. These inspections have covered a range of structures, including hotels, Ministry offices, and residences. The teams have been assessing the condition of each building, noting whether they are in good condition or require renovation. Inspections of the remaining buildings are ongoing.
MNA/MKKS
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Tue, 05/06/2025 - 14:52
Due to a powerful earthquake that occurred on 28 March, two major airports -Nay Pyi Taw International Airport and Mandalay International Airport, roads, and railway sections, suffered collapse and damage, and the transportation and communication services were affected to a certain extent. The Ministry of Transport and Communications conducted maintenance with proper manpower, reserve materials and effective supplies.
In the rail transport sector, the Myanma Railways repaired 60 rail tracks and 11 railway bridges on the Yangon-Mandalay railway. On 3 April, the trail section using one mail train coach and four cargo coaches was conducted on the Bago-Toungoo section and Nay Pyi Taw-Thazi section. On 4 April, three coaches of down train operated to Yangon from Nay Pyi Taw and Toungoo railway stations, the uptrain from Toungoo, Nay Pyi Taw and Tatkon stations to Mandalay for trial.
Starting from 5 April, No 7 uptrain DEMU will leave from Yangon to Nay Pyi Taw at 1 pm, while the No 8 down DEMU train will from Nay Pyi Taw to Yangon at 12:30 pm, No 28 down express train from Mandalay to Nay Pyi Taw at 6 am, No 27 up express train from Nay Pyi Taw to Mandalay at 1:30 pm, No 11 up train from Yangon to Mandalay at 5 am, and No 12 down train from Mandalay to Yangon at 5 pm. The tickets are sold at the railway stations and ticket counters in advance.
In the aviation sector, the runway of Mandalay International Airport was repaired, and the rescue flights were allowed to resume operations starting on 2 April while the domestic flights were on 4 April. Therefore, the domestic airlines operated 12 flights yesterday. Similarly, the control tower and aviation communication system infrastructure of Nay Pyi Taw International Airport were repaired, and they were reopened for rescue flights starting on 29 March. The Union minister, deputy ministers and relevant officials inspected the facilities at the airport on 4 April, and the domestic flights will resume operations starting from 5 April.
In the waterway transport sector, the arch beams of Sagaing Bridge (Inwa) on the old Mandalay-Sagaing Road collapsed and transport was suspended temporarily. Meanwhile, the Inland Water Transport-owned ferries and private vessels transport the trucks and rescue machinery free between Mandalay (Shwekyatyet) jetty and Sagaing jetty. From 31 March to 3 April, they transported 869 passengers, 461 trucks and machinery, 222 vehicles and 12 motorcycles.
In the communication sector, 6,730 mobile communication stations in quake-affected areas were destroyed and the communication failed. Due to the timely maintenance, 4,500 stations are now in good condition. Moreover, the temporary mobile communication poles were arranged in key places in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area and Mandalay Region. Free on-net mobile calls and SMS services were provided from 29 March to 10 April.
Therefore, the Ministry of Transport and Communications exerts efforts to restore the road, waterway, aviation and communication services to normal operations as soon as possible.
Ministry of Transport and Communications
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Tue, 05/06/2025 - 14:51
A Chinese rescue team from Yunnan Province donated blankets and mosquito net to the Ministry of Information’s earthquake-affected staff.
Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn received the donation, expressing gratitude for the support. The donation was made in response to the 28 March earthquake, which caused significant damage in six regions of Myanmar.
The CITIC Myanmar also donated five temporary shelters for six families, handed over to Deputy Minister U Ye Tint. In the afternoon, Union Minister U Maung Maung Ohn and Deputy Minister U Ye Tint visited the affected staff and distributed essential items, including solar-powered lamps for fire safety.
Channel 8 Myanmar Holding Co Ltd and other donors also provided 15 types of goods, including mattresses, clean water and food supplies.
MNA/KZL
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Tue, 05/06/2025 - 14:51
THE Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation has stated the condition of reservoirs following the earthquake that struck on 28 March 2025.
After the earthquake, relevant officials promptly inspected the safety and structural integrity of reservoirs in Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory. Preliminary inspections of 12 reservoirs managed by the Directorate of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems confirmed that all remain structurally sound. While minor surface damage was observed on some earthen embankments, experts from the dam safety inspection team confirmed that there is no risk of failure.
Among the 12 diversion weirs located downstream of the reservoirs, only the Sinthay diversion weirs, measuring 930 feet in width and 20 feet in depth sustained damage over a length of approximately 150 feet. Further detailed assessments are ongoing.
Similarly, engineers are conducting inspections on major dams across all regions and states. Initial findings indicate no significant damage and further assessments are underway. Authorities will continue to release updates as needed and the public is advised that there is no cause for concern.
MNA/KZL
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Tue, 05/06/2025 - 14:50
Following the strong earthquake and aftershocks on 28 March, various infrastructures including roads and buildings collapsed, leading to casualties and injuries.
Search and rescue efforts are ongoing in the earthquake-affected townships of Nay Pyi Taw, with international and local teams aiding the victims.
Rescue teams from Vietnam and the UAE are working together with Myanmar’s special search and rescue teams at the Ottarathiri Private Specialist Hospital in Ottarathiri Township. Likewise, teams from Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore are assisting local teams at Jade City Hotel in Zabuthiri Township. They are helping recover bodies for transfer to relevant hospitals and providing medical care for the injured.
Humanitarian support is also flowing in from the public and charitable organizations, providing food, clean water, emergency funds, clothing and medical supplies. The government is organizing temporary shelters, emergency water vehicles and other relief efforts to support the victims. International rescue teams are continuing to coordinate with local teams to provide aid and medical services to the affected communities. — MNA/KZL
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Tue, 05/06/2025 - 14:48
International rescue and medical teams arriveing daily at Nay Pyi Taw Tatmadaw Airport, according to their scheduled flights, as the government continues its rescue and relief operations in earthquake-impacted areas.
Yesterday saw the arrival of doctors and medical personnel from Singapore and Bhutan, along with humanitarian relief supplies from Laos, China, and Indonesia.
Officials from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the arriving teams at the airport. These teams are expected to promptly deploy to the earthquake-affected regions to provide rescue and medical assistance.
MNA/MKKS
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Tue, 05/06/2025 - 14:48
A strong earthquake hit central Myanmar at 12:51 pm yesterday.
The earthquake was initially reported to have a magnitude of 7.7 at a depth of 10.0 km (6.2137 miles) near Sagaing in central Myanmar. According to the GFZ Institute for Geosciences in Germany, the strong quake that struck yesterday afternoon was centred in Myanmar.
The earthquake was felt across Myanmar, as well as in Thailand, China, and Laos.
The earthquake caused the collapses of the old Sagaing Bridge, and several buildings in Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Pyinmana, Aungban, and Inlay. Damages also include the collapses of the Dokhtawady Bridge on the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway, and some portions at and around 362-mile Yangon-Mandalay Expressway causing some road closures along the route.
The Sagaing Fault is an important earthquake-prone fault in Myanmar, running from central to northern Myanmar. This fault is caused by the movement of the Indian and Eurasian plates, and the cities along which are included in the most earthquake-prone areas in Myanmar.
The authorities have warned that the Sagaing Fault is one of the most geologically dangerous areas in Myanmar, and it is important to be prepared for the risk to be reduced by building earthquake-resistant buildings and educating the public about earthquake hazard protection.
Htun Htun/ZN
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Tue, 05/06/2025 - 14:42
AT 12:51 pm on 28 March, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 on the Richter scale struck, centred 21 kilometres northeast of the Mandalay Seismological Station. In response to the impact of this earthquake, the National Disaster Management Committee has declared a state of emergency in the affected areas, including Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, Magway Region, northeastern Shan State, Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, and Bago Region. The government will promptly carry out investigations and relief efforts. We kindly urge the public not to believe in any rumours that may arise but to follow the official announcements continuously released by the Disaster Management Committee. Moreover, based on estimates, aftershocks may still occur following this earthquake. Therefore, we strongly advise everyone to stay in safe locations.
This urgent announcement is being made due to the current critical situation. The Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister is currently at Nay Pyi Taw General Hospital (1,000-bed) to comfort patients. The main message I want to convey is that hospitals in Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, and Sagaing have received a large number of patients injured due to the earthquake. There is also a significant need for blood donations. Therefore, I sincerely request blood donors in Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, and Sagaing regions to urgently contact hospitals and donate blood as soon as possible.
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