The death toll from the earthquake that struck central Myanmar on 28 March, 2025, rose on Thursday to 3,145, according to the military-led government.
Information Minister Maung Maung Ohn stated during a meeting in Naypyitaw that 4,589 individuals were injured, and 221 remain missing, as reported by state broadcaster MRTV.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, toppling buildings, fracturing roads, and damaging bridges across multiple regions.
Local media have suggested higher casualty figures than the official count. With communication networks down and some affected areas still inaccessible, the final toll may be considerably higher.
According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks have impacted more than 17 million people in 57 townships, with over 9 million severely affected.
In its latest update, OCHA noted, “The coming days will be critical in determining the full scale of the disaster’s impact and the response required to meet the needs of millions affected.”
6 days after the catastrophic #earthquake in #Myanmar, humanitarian response efforts are scaling up.
Emergency assistance is reaching affected areas, but critical needs remain high.
Read more in our latest Flash Update: https://t.co/C4PST6988a pic.twitter.com/5GfQXz4d5E
— OCHA Myanmar (@ochamyanmar) April 3, 2025
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres confirmed that humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher and special envoy Julie Bishop would arrive in Myanmar on Friday.
He also appealed to the global community for increased funding, warning that “the earthquake has supercharged the suffering – with the monsoon season just around the corner.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported extensive damage to health infrastructure. Four hospitals and one health centre have been destroyed, with 32 hospitals and 18 health centres partially damaged.
WHO said the destruction, combined with surging patient numbers, has made healthcare “nearly impossible in many of the worst-hit areas.”
Two international field hospitals are currently operational in Mandalay—one from India and another jointly operated by Russia and Belarus.
Amid the devastation, shelter remains a critical concern. With ongoing aftershocks causing widespread fear, many residents are sleeping outdoors. Authorities in Naypyitaw are working to erect large tents in open spaces under extreme heat.
In Mandalay, residents offered watermelon slices to Chinese volunteers assisting with relief operations under scorching conditions.
According to a military statement, over 1,550 foreign rescuers are working alongside locals. Aid and equipment have arrived from 17 countries, though logistical challenges persist.
Myanmar’s humanitarian crisis predates the earthquake. The United Nations estimates that, prior to the disaster, more than 3 million people were displaced and 20 million were in need due to the civil conflict triggered by the 2021 military coup.
The military declared a temporary ceasefire on 2 April, effective until 22 April, to facilitate relief operations. Several armed resistance groups have also agreed to temporary halts in fighting.
Despite this, there have been unverified reports of continued military attacks in Kachin state, where the Kachin Independence Army had also declared a ceasefire.
No significant damage was reported in Kachin following the earthquake.
In Bangkok, Thailand, the earthquake’s tremors caused the collapse of an under-construction skyscraper, killing 22 people and injuring 35. Dozens remain missing, with search operations ongoing.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt acknowledged on Thursday that although sounds were detected beneath the rubble, no survivors had been located by day’s end.
Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, is expected to attend a regional BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok on Friday, where the disaster response will be a key agenda item.
Thailand has proposed that member states issue a joint statement addressing the impact of the quake and their collective response.
The summit marks a rare opportunity for Myanmar’s junta to engage diplomatically, as the country has faced growing regional isolation since the 2021 coup.
Meanwhile, in Sagaing—just nine miles from the epicentre—AFP journalists reported long queues for emergency supplies. According to WHO, one in three homes in the city has collapsed.
Local nun Aye Thikar, aged 63, described ongoing hardship. “We have a well for drinking water, but we have no fuel for the water pump,” she said. “We also don’t know how long we will be without electricity.”
She added that many displaced residents still lack basic necessities like mosquito nets and blankets, relying on roadside donations from passing strangers.
As relief efforts continue, humanitarian organisations have warned that time is of the essence. Infrastructure remains compromised, and the window to deliver effective aid may close quickly with the arrival of the monsoon.
The international community is being urged to act decisively to avert an even greater humanitarian catastrophe in the weeks to come.
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