It has been nearly 24 hours since a powerful earthquake struck Myanmar, with its effects felt as far as neighbouring Thailand. If you’re just joining us now, here’s what you need to know:
Myanmar’s junta government has just announced a dramatic jump in the death count – it now stands at 1,002, at the time of going to press, with 2,376 injured
Much of the fatalities are centered in its second-largest city of Mandalay, which is close to the quake’s epicentre
Rescue operations are ongoing, with one rescue team in Mandalay saying they were “digging people out with our bare hands”
In Thailand, all eyes are on an unfinished skyscraper which was destroyed by the earthquake.Some 100 workers remain unaccounted for as families wait nervously. Six people are known to have died
Myanmar’s military leaders have issued a rare appeal for international aid, with its neighbours China and India among the first to send help
According to an updated military statement, these fatalities are from the city of Mandalay alone – for now it’s unclear what the nationwide death toll might be.
Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city, was hit particularly hard by the earthquake, and power and communication lines are down. Rescuers are continuing their search for survivors.
India, which is just one country to the west of Myanmar, has this morning sent over aid packages to the quake-hit centre.
Indian media this morning is carrying photos of the shipments being loaded onto a cargo plane. Yesterday PM Modi pledged an offer of help and said he had Indian authorities “on standby”
