In Mandalay, Myanmar, it was estimated that over 2,000 citizens have died after a major earthquake occurred on the 28th of last month (local time), marking the end of the 72-hour period referred to as the 'golden time.' Rescue teams and citizens are continuing their desperate efforts to find survivors.
According to reports from AFP on the 31st, the first 72 hours after a disaster is generally considered the 'golden time' for saving lives. The earthquake occurred at around 12:50 p.m. on the 28th (3:20 p.m. Korean time) approximately 33 kilometers southwest of central Mandalay.
Due to a lack of personnel and equipment, rescue teams and citizens are attempting to dig through debris with their bare hands, but unfortunate news continues to emerge from various locations. The estimated death toll has surpassed 2,000. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported yesterday, citing the military government, that the death toll is 2,028 and the number of injuries is 3,408.
Due to the incompleteness of casualty counts from facility collapses and the shortage of medical supplies, there are limits to rescue activities, and the actual number of victims is estimated to be much higher than this. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) previously estimated a 71% chance that the death toll from this earthquake could exceed 10,000.
Relief organizations expressed concerns that aftershocks continue and with the rainy season approaching, the risk of 'secondary crises' like landslides is increasing. Various countries around the world are beginning to support Myanmar, and international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have also emphasized the need for emergency assistance.