Narendra Modi speaks to Min Aung Hlaing, head of military-led regime in Myanmar.
"When we say Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, we mean it": MEA on India swiftly responding to devastating earthquake in Myanmar
A day after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, rescuers in Mandalay, the country's second-largest city and the epicentre of the quake, have been working tirelessly with their bare hands, desperately searching for survivors amid the rubble.
Myanmar's military government head confirmed over 1,600 deaths, according to news agency AFP. However, a US agency has warned that the toll could surpass 10,000.
Myanmar’s military rulers have called for ‘any country, any organisation’ to help as concerns grow over how rescuers will reach affected areas
India sends relief materials to Myanmar under Operation Brahma
Deadly earthquake, aftershocks jolted Myanmar, Thailand on Friday
100 workers missing after Bangkok building collapse
First C130 landed in Naypyidaw, Myanmar. The NDRF team was received by Indian Ambassador and Ambassador Maung Maung Lynn, Ambassador-at-large, in Myanmar MOFA. India is the first to bring rescue personnel in the capital. The airport is still not fully functional after the earthquake.
The NDRF team will proceed to Mandalay tomorrow early morning, and the Indian NDRF rescue team will be the first rescue team to reach Mandalay for rescue operations:
-- MEA
The quake was so powerful that even Bangkok, located 900 kilometres away, felt its impact, causing the collapse of several iconic structures and bridges.
Myanmar's military government on Saturday announced that the death toll has jumped to 1,644 while at least 2,400 have been injured after yesterday's earthquake. Rescue operations are in full swing across several areas, but many locations remain inaccessible due to damaged roads and bridges.
Harrowing details of the devastation are emerging as survivors recount their tales of horror from yesterday's incident. One survivor from Myanmar told the BBC how he was pulled out of the rubble after the earthquake struck while he was in the washroom.
As he and others rushed for shelter in another building, another earthquake hit, causing that building to collapse as well. He said his grandmother, aunt, and uncles are still missing, adding that their chances of survival are zero.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the military-led government in Myanmar, and said India stands in solidarity with the country in dealing with the devastation .
"Spoke with Senior General HE. Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar. Conveyed our deep condolences at the loss of lives in the devastating earthquake. As a close friend and neighbour, India stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar in this difficult hour," he tweeted.
India dispatched 15 tonnes of relief materials, including solar lamps, food packets, and kitchen sets, to Myanmar on an Air Force aircraft.
A team of 80 NDRF rescuers, equipped with specialised gear and search canines, also departed for Naypyidaw, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said while sharing details of Operation Brahma.
Indian Navy ships INS Satpura and INS Savitri, carrying 40 tonnes of humanitarian aid, are en route to the port of Yangon.
In Thailand, nine people have been killed -- all in Bangkok -- after a skyscraper collapsed during the tremors. Bangkok authorities reported receiving 2,000 complaints of structural cracks in buildings across the city. In a statement, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said, "Despite the collapse of one under-construction building, no completed buildings have suffered structural failure".
The Thai government has declared a state of emergency in Bangkok as rescue operations continue. Over 40 people are still believed to be trapped under the rubble in the city.
In Mandalay, Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalists reported seeing dozens of people preparing to bed down for the night in the streets, preferring to sleep in the open rather than take the risk in quake-damaged buildings.
Muslims are a minority in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar and have been marginalised by successive governments, while ultranationalist groups and extremist monks have in recent years incited violence, reports Reuters.
(The Guardian)
Myanmar authorities have for decades made it difficult for Muslims to obtain permission to repair or build new mosques, according to 2017 report by the US state department, which said historic mosques have deteriorated because routine maintenance was denied.
Buddhist buildings were also badly hit by the quake, with 670 monasteries and 290 pagodas damaged, according to the military government. It did not mention any mosques in its damage report.
A 118-member Indian Army Field Hospital unit is en route to Mandalay from Agra. The team will assist in providing first aid and emergency medical services to the people of Myanmar.
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