Kuwait extends sympathy as Myanmar quake deaths soar

Arab Times

29-03-2025

KUWAIT CITY, March 29, (Agencies): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has declared the State of Kuwait's solidarity with the Myanmar and Thailand in the aftermath of the earthquake that hit the two Asian countries, leaving hundreds of victims, dead or wounded, in addition to massive damage. The ministry extended condolences and solace to the two friendly countries' governments and peoples and wished the injured quick recovery. Meanwhile, Kuwait's Embassy in Thailand affirmed Saturday that all Kuwaiti citizens currently in Thailand and Myanmar are safe, especially after the violent earthquake that struck both countries on Friday.
Acting Charge d'Affaires at the Kuwaiti Embassy in Bangkok, Counsellor Abdulmohsen Al-Fares, told KUNA that the embassy had been in contact with relevant authorities in Thailand and Myanmar since the first moments of the earthquake to ensure that no Kuwaitis were among the victims. Al-Fares added that communication is ongoing with major hospitals in the Thai capital, Bangkok, as well as in Myanmar, to ensure there are no Kuwaitis injured in the earthquake. On Friday, the Kuwait Embassy in Thailand called on Kuwaiti citizens in all governorates to take caution due to the earthquake that struck Bangkok this afternoon, and to adhere to official instructions. The embassy urged citizens to call the emergency number: 0066918909998 Foreign Ministry emergency numbers: +965 159 [phone] In latest developments, the death toll from the powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar jumped to more than 1,000 on Saturday as more bodies were pulled from the rubble of the scores of buildings that collapsed when it struck near the country's second-largest city. The country's military-led government said in a statement that 1,002 people have now been found dead and another 2,376 injured, with 30 others missing. The statement suggested the numbers could still rise, saying 'Detailed figures are still being collected.'
The earthquake struck midday Friday with an epicenter not far from Mandalay, followed by several aftershocks including one measuring a strong 6.4 magnitude. It sent buildings in many areas toppling to the ground, buckled roads, caused bridges to collapse and burst a dam. In the capital Naypyidaw, crews worked Saturday to repair damaged roads, while electricity, phone and internet services remained down for most of the city. The earthquake brought down many buildings, including multiple units that housed government civil servants, but that section of the city was blocked off by authorities on Saturday. In neighboring Thailand, the quake rocked the greater Bangkok area, home to some 17 million people, and other parts of the country. Bangkok city authorities said so far six people have been found dead, 26 injured and 47 are still missing, most from a construction site near the capital's popular Chatuchak market. On Saturday, more heavy equipment was brought in to move the tons of rubble, but hope was fading among friends and family members of the missing that they would be found alive. 'I was praying that that they had survived but when I got here and saw the ruin - where could they be? In which corner? Are they still alive? I am still praying that all six are alive,' said 45-year-old Naruemol Thonglek, sobbing as she awaited news about her partner, who is from Myanmar, and five friends who worked at the site. 'I cannot accept this. When I see this I can't accept this. A close friend of mine is in there, too,' she said. Waenphet Panta said she hadn't heard from her daughter Kanlayanee since a phone call about an hour before the quake. A friend told her Kanlayanee had been working high on the building on Friday.