Desperate search for survivors in Myanmar as death toll surges past 1,000

 

Strongest earthquake Myanmar has seen in a century

From CNN's Henrik Pettersson

According to data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the March 2025 quake is the most powerful to strike Myanmar in over a century.

The last earthquake of a similar magnitude happened in 1912 in Taunggyi, a city in east-central Myanmar.

Yesterday’s quake has killed at least 1,000 people in Myanmar with the USGS estimating that the death toll could top 10,000.

51 min ago

First foreign aid arrives in Myanmar as death toll tops 1,000: What you need to know

From CNN staff

Rescue workers attempt to free people trapped under the rubble of the destroyed building in Mandalay, Myanmar, on Saturday. 

Sai Aung Main/AFP via Getty Images

More than 1,000 people are confirmed dead after a large earthquake struck Myanmar, with rescue efforts underway to save the many who remain trapped under rubble.

Foreign aid has started to arrive in the politically-isolated country, which is ill-equipped to handle natural disasters and has faced civil war since 2021, and harrowing testimonies from survivors are starting to emerge.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Death toll rises: The death toll from Friday’s 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar has risen to 1,002, state broadcaster MRTV reported Saturday. The figures were for “all the earthquake-affected areas nationwide,” the broadcaster said. However, the number is expected to rise further. The US Geological Survey estimated that the death toll could top 10,000. Meanwhile, rescue efforts are underway to save those who remain trapped under collapsed buildings but reports say survivors are using their bare hands in the absence of heavy machinery.
• Survivors tell their stories: Testimonies of the devastating earthquake are beginning to emerge. CNN managed to reach one woman living in Mandalay who recalled the terrifying moment a family member was buried by rubble. “It hit very strong and very fast,” she said. Part of the wall of the house collapsed onto the woman’s grandmother who was sitting nearby, burying her legs in rubble and debris, she said. A former lawyer in the city told CNN three members of his wife’s family had been killed in the quake. “Until now, we have not been able to recover their dead bodies from rubble,” he said.
• Foreign aid arrives: The first foreign aid has reached Myanmar after an rare plea for help from the government, which has previously shunned assistance. A Chinese team arrived in Myanmar’s biggest city Yangon on Saturday morning, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. China is the military junta’s most important ally, as well as being one of its biggest trading partners. Russia and India have also deployed rescue teams, while Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia have pledged to do so.
• Junta chief visits city: Myanmar’s junta chief visited the hard-hit city of Mandalay Saturday to inspect the damage brought by Friday’s earthquake, state media reported. Min Aung Hlaing “visited Mandalay city and will continue to go around and inspect the conditions of damage and loss,” according to a statement released by the junta. Myanmar’s military government is isolated on the world stage and reeling from a civil war - NGOs have said the earthquake has come at the worst possible tim.
• Thailand ‘returns to normalcy’: Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra the country “has returned to normalcy” after Friday’s deadly quake in Myanmar rattled the country’s capital. Shinawatra, who called an emergency meeting following the disaster on Friday, said only one building collapsed in Bangkok, adding that the building was under construction and that no other buildings in the capital suffered a similar impact. But search teams are continuing to work at the scene of the collapsed building, where signs of life have been detected. At least 10 people in Thailand were killed in the quake.