Myanmar experienced another earthquake on Wednesday, April 3, as the southern coast was struck by a 5.0-magnitude tremor, days after a devastating 7.7-magnitude quake shook the country on March 28. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the latest quake occurred 86 km south of Pyapon, Burma, at 4:27 PM local time, with a depth of 10 km.
The March 28 earthquake, one of the worst in Myanmar’s history, has claimed over 3,000 lives so far. The powerful tremor caused widespread destruction across Myanmar and was felt in neighboring countries, leading to the collapse of a 30-story skyscraper in Bangkok, Thailand.
Rescue Efforts Continue
Despite the extensive damage, rescue teams continue their search for survivors. In a remarkable rescue operation, a 26-year-old hotel worker was pulled out alive from the rubble in Naypyidaw on Wednesday, five days after the earthquake. A joint Myanmar-Turkish rescue team found the man conscious but in a dazed state, covered in dust.
According to reports from AFP and AP, more survivors have been found in the debris of collapsed buildings, including another person rescued from the same hotel and a guesthouse in a different city. Additionally, a survivor was discovered in Mandalay, bringing hope amid the devastation.
Myanmar Junta Declares Temporary Ceasefire
Following repeated appeals from victims’ families for urgent humanitarian aid, Myanmar’s ruling military announced a temporary ceasefire on Wednesday to facilitate relief efforts. The ceasefire, announced through state broadcaster MRTV, will last until April 22.
Rebel groups, including the People’s Defense Force and the Three Brotherhood Alliance, have also declared a ceasefire to allow aid and rescue operations to continue. However, Myanmar’s military has warned these groups against carrying out any attacks during the ceasefire.
With thousands of lives lost and many still trapped under the rubble, rescue workers continue to race against time to locate survivors and provide aid to the affected regions. The full scale of the disaster is still unfolding as Myanmar grapples with the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquake.
Sources By Agencies
