A devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday has claimed more than 1,700 lives, with another 3,400 injured and over 300 missing, the country’s military government said on Monday. The disaster has caused widespread damage across central Myanmar, including the capital Naypyitaw and Mandalay, the nation’s second-largest city.
The earthquake hit during Friday prayers for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, with approximately 700 worshippers killed when mosques collapsed. In Mandalay, 270 monks were taking a religious exam when their monastery crumbled — 70 escaped, 50 have been confirmed dead, and 150 remain unaccounted for.
Experts believe the actual death toll may be significantly higher, as telecommunication outages and mobility challenges have limited information from many affected areas. One town near Mandalay reportedly saw 80% of its buildings collapse.
An AI analysis of satellite imagery revealed more than 500 buildings in Mandalay with from 80% to 100% damage and over 1,500 with from 20% to 80% damage. The World Health Organization reports three hospitals destroyed and 22 partially damaged, warning that “the scale of deaths and injuries is not yet fully understood.”
Rescue operations have been slowed by a lack of heavy machinery, forcing many to search through rubble by hand in temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F). International rescue teams from Russia, China, India, and Southeast Asian countries have now arrived to assist.
The European Union, Britain, Australia, and others have pledged millions in aid. U.S. President Trump has offered help, though no American assistance to Myanmar has been confirmed. A small U.S. military contingent was sent to neighboring Thailand, where the earthquake killed 18 people and left 78 missing.
Complicating relief efforts is Myanmar’s ongoing civil war following the military’s 2021 seizure of power. Government forces have lost control of significant territory, making many areas dangerous or inaccessible for aid groups. More than 3 million people have been displaced by fighting, with nearly 20 million in need of assistance.
The earthquake occurred along the Sagaing Fault when a 200-kilometer section ruptured. With monsoon season approaching in May, finding shelter for those sleeping outdoors — either because their homes were destroyed or fear of aftershocks — presents an additional challenge for humanitarian organizations.
Read more: Deaths from devastating earthquake in Myanmar climb past 1,700
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