
Scramble to free survivors as death toll passes 1,600 after Myanmar earthquake
Rescue workers battled for a second night to find survivors of Myanmar's devastating earthquake, which has killed at least 1,644 people and injured thousands more.
Teams with little protective equipment, at times using only their bare hands, scrambled to free survivors from the rubble of countless buildings that were shattered by Friday's 7.7-magnitude earthquake.
There was a brief moment of joy for exhausted emergency workers as a 30-year-old woman was rescued alive after more than 30 hours trapped beneath an apartment building in Mandalay, Myanmar's second-biggest city and one of the worst affected areas.
Phyu Lay Khaing, who was brought out of the Sky Villa Condominium, a 12-storey development, by stretcher, was embraced by her husband, Ye Aung, and taken to hospital, AFP reported. It is feared more than 90 people remain trapped there.
In neighbouring Thailand Bangkok's governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, said the search for construction workers at the site of a collapsed 30-storey building in the capital would continue. 'We believe that there are still survivors. We will do everything possible to rescue them,' he saidon Saturday evening, adding that heavy machines, including cranes and diggers, were being used to clear access at the site. The building fell to the floor while under construction near the city's Chatuchak weekend market.
Drones and sniffer dogs have been deployed to identify signs of life. At least 10 people have died in Bangkok. Dozens more are missing.
Myanmar's ruling junta said in a statement that 1,644 people have now been found dead and another 3,408 injured. Others are still missing.
Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing issued a rare appeal for international help on Friday, and declared a state of emergency across six areas of the country. Aid began to arrive in Myanmar on Saturday with Russia and China, two of the isolated junta's few allies, flying in rescue teams and supplies. India sent a search and rescue team and a medical team, and Malaysia said it would send 50 people on Sunday.
The response to the disaster is complicated not only by communication outages and damaged roads, but also the conflict that has gripped the country since the military seized power in a coup in 2021. The junta has faced dogged armed resistance to its rule, formed of a patchwork of groups, including civilians who took up arms to fight for the return of democracy, and ethnic armed organisations that have long fought for independence. It has lost swathes of territory, and responded with relentless airstrikes, which continued even after the devastating quake, including in Sagaing, close to the epicentre.
The World Food Programme's country director, Michael Dunford, said that coordinating a response to the disaster would be 'very challenging'. He added it could be 'days and weeks' before the true scale of the damage in Myanmar is knownAn assessment by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said hospitals and health facilities had sustained 'extensive damaged or destruction', adding that there were 'a severe shortage of medical supplies'.
Major bridges, roads, universities, hotels, historical and religious sites and public buildings have also been heavily damaged or destroyed, according to reports cited by UNOCHA.
The shallow 7.7-magnitude quake, which was followed minutes later by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock, was felt across the region, and is the largest quake to hit Myanmar in decades.
Myanmar's junta chief invited 'any country, any organisation' to help with relief and said he 'opened all ways for foreign aid'.
The junta has in the past repeatedly been accused of blocking humanitarian aid to areas controlled by its opponents. The Norwegian Refugee Council said 'immediate and unhindered access for aid workers' would be critical.
On Saturday evening many in Mandalay prepared to sleep outside overnight, either because their homes had collapsed or they feared continued quakes.
The disaster comes at a time when many aid agencies are scaling back their work following Trump's cuts to the US Agency for International Development, a major donor. Trump said on Friday that the US was going to help with the response, though no concrete commitment has yet been announced.
The European Union said it was providing €2.5m in initial emergency aid and assessing the needs on the ground to mobilise further assistance. EU crisis management commissioner Hadja Lahbib said the EU 'stands in solidarity with people in Myanmar and the broader region'.
The United Nations has allocated $5m to start relief efforts, while the World Health Organization said it was preparing to surge support in response to 'a very, very big threat to life and health'.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


ITV News
38 minutes ago
- ITV News
Jersey becomes first non-member of United Nations to host humanitarian aid meeting
Jersey has become the first non-member of the United Nations (UN) to host international talks, addressing humanitarian aid for those in crisis. The island was selected to co-chair the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Pooled Fund Working Group (PFWG) to discuss how smaller donors can reach the most severely affected countries through a coordinated approach. Officials from across the globe have joined discussions which include key decisions on how taxpayers' money in Jersey can provide life-saving support. Edward Lewis, Executive Director of Jersey Overseas Aid, explains: "Jersey is seen in the international sector; they wouldn't come here if they didn't think we had something to say and something to contribute. "The whole idea is widening the donor base and getting a broader constituency, which is really important in terms of having an effective response. "And for the next couple of days at least, Jersey is going to play a leading role." Currently, the island allocates approximately 0.3% of its budget to overseas aid - more than £17 million. Jersey Overseas Aid has also sent more than £7 million of aid to countries including Sudan, Syria, and Ukraine since 2016. David Throp, Chief of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), says: "The system as a whole has been going through financial difficulties. "We have seen cuts from big players, such as the Americans and other big European countries; every pound helps us save another life. "By putting the money together, we can do something bigger, better, more thought-out, and more influential on the beneficiaries and populations we're trying to assist. "Jersey has been very good at bringing leadership to the discussions. The island has been punching above its weight in guiding us." Alice Armanni-Sequi, one of the senior UN officials, says she's enjoyed the talks in Jersey so far, adding that getting the pooled funds right is vital for those in need. She explains: "We cover a range from food, shelter, health services, water, which is so critical and nutrition. "The list goes on, but the formula will depend on the location, so the great thing about the pooled funds is that we can really come up with the right recipe at the local level that really represents what people need." David adds: "Most of the funds, in particular the larger funds, are located in some of the more protracted emergencies. "We do have countries like the democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, the occupied Palestinian territories, where it is not a sudden onset and a quick finish - a more fundamental structural problem in the society. "The good thing about the model is that we can put these funds in place and phase them out as and when needed, depending on the changes in the situation." Mazen Fadhl Maddi represents the Field Medical Foundation (FMF) Yemen, and knows first hand how overseas aid is a lifeline for those who need it. He explains: "It saves lives. I have seen it personally - I have gone to the camps. "We are also giving communities resilience. The money translates into a lot of sectors, a lot of assistance, such as food assistance and nutrition. We have huge numbers of acute malnutrition in Yemen." Chair of Jersey Overseas Aid Commission, Carolyn Labey, says that while Jersey's contribution increases in line with the island's GDP, contributions can go further. She says: "We have connected our budget to GDP, so when the economy grows, our budget grows. "Our budget is currently fixed at 0.3% of GDP, and that isn't quite the OECD average, which is 0.36%. "The overall aim is to reach 0.7%, but there is a way to go there." The States of Guernsey aims to allocated 0.2% of its budget to overseas aid by 2030, however it is not part of the Pooled Fund Working Group, hence why no officials are attending this weeks meeting.


Reuters
20 hours ago
- Reuters
UN says most flour delivered in Gaza looted or taken by starving people
UNITED NATIONS, June 9 (Reuters) - The United Nations said on Monday that it has only been able to bring minimal flour into Gaza since Israel lifted an aid blockade three weeks ago and that has mostly been looted by armed gangs or taken by starving Palestinians. The organization has transported 4,600 metric tonnes of wheat flour into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing, the only entry point Israel allows it to use, Deputy U.N. spokesperson Fahan Haq told reporters. Haq said aid groups in Gaza estimate that between 8,000 and 10,000 metric tonnes of wheat flour were needed to give each family in Gaza a bag of flour and "ease the pressure on markets and reduce desperation." "Most of it was taken by desperate, starving people before the supplies reached their destinations. In some cases, the supplies were looted by armed gangs," Haq said. According to World Food Programme guidelines, 4,600 metric tonnes of flour would provide roughly eight days' worth of bread for Gaza's 2 million residents, based on a standard daily ration of 300 grams per person. Haq called for Israel to let in far more aid via multiple crossings and routes. The U.N. has mostly delivered flour along with limited medical and nutrition items since Israel lifted the 11-week blockade in mid-May. Experts warn Gaza is at risk of famine, with the rate of young children suffering acute malnutrition nearly tripling. Israel and the United States want the U.N. to work through the controversial new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, but the U.N. has refused, questioning its neutrality and accusing the distribution model of militarizing aid and forcing displacement. Israel and the United States have accused Hamas of stealing aid from the U.N.-led operations, which the militants deny. The GHF uses private U.S. security and logistics firms to operate. It began operations in Gaza on May 26 and said on Monday so far it has given out 11.4 million meals. Israel makes the U.N. offload aid on the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing, where it then has to be picked by the U.N. and aid groups already in Gaza. The U.N. has accused Israel of regularly denying access requests.


Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Elon Musk's estranged dad Errol hails Russia as the ‘peak of civilisation' & gushes over Putin at staged Moscow event
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TESLA tycoon Elon Musk's estranged dad Errol has hailed Russia as the "peak of civilisation" - and even gushed over mad Vladimir Putin. Errol Musk, 79, made the explosive remarks in Moscow where he appeared at a Kremlin-backed event organised by the Russian dictator's inner circle. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Elon Musk's estranged dad Errol hailed Russia as the 'peak of civilisation' Credit: X 8 He made the explosive remarks in Moscow where he appeared at a Kremlin-backed event organised by Putin's inner circle. Credit: X 8 US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk (R) speak before departing the White House two months ago Credit: AFP It comes just days after his billionaire son's high-profile alliance with the US President imploded in a fierce online feud. Musk Snr took part in the Tsargrad propaganda forum where he bizarrely declared Moscow the "best capital" in the world. Marking his first time in Russia, Errol said: "I think the image that people give to us in the West of Russia is completely wrong. "Russia is wonderful, it's absolutely amazing. He added how it was "quite clear" that Moscow was better than any other city across the globe. Not only did the South African businessman praise Russia however, but also its mad leader Putin and, in turn, challenged the West's portrayal of him and his country. Errol said: "I think [Putin] is a very impressive man - he's proved that. A very stable, impressive man. "As for the perception of Russia, it's very wrong." He added: "So the perception in America by the media, I will call it the fake media, is that Russia is a bad place and its full of very bad people, and they're all going to kill you to come here, which is complete nonsense." He explained how he was coming to Russia with his daughter Alexandra - but his sons told her that she musn't go "under any circumstances". And after Errol himself claims to have been given warnings on going to Moscow, he said he "arrived here, and the first thing I saw was a perfect total civilisation in every direction." He added: "I see a city that easily rivals ancient Rome. "And probably, I made a comment to somebody earlier, it's by far not by a little but by far the premier capital city in the world." Errol also discussed his estranged Tesla tycoon son Elon and his astronautics exploration company SpaceX - but credited Russia as originally being the "leader" of space engineering before his son "took over". He said it "all started off with the Russian attempts" which he said were "quite amazing". Just a day ago, speaking of the explosive feud between Elon and US President Trump, Musk Snr revealed that his son was grappling with regret and fatigue from his turbulent stint in Washington. He said: 'So at the moment, Elon is inclined to say that he's made a mistake.' 'Trump will prevail. He's the president, he was elected as the president. 'Elon made a mistake, I think, but he's tired, he's stressed. 8 Errol is currently in Moscow to appear at a Kremlin-backed forum 8 Russia's President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on Russia's language policy at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence Credit: AFP 8 Elon Musk and Donald Trump's bromance is now beyond repair 8 Elon Musk, wearing two hats, speaks during a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House Credit: AFP 8 "They are all suffering from a bit of PTSD, a post-traumatic stress disorder over the last few months, they started hitting out at each other. 'And then in the end, it's just him and Trump left… They still don't know what to do, so they fight with each other until they can come to normal conditions.' And in response to a question from a Russian propaganda publication on how to "raise a genius," Errol said that a child needed to be "spanked a lot". Errol's ex-wife and Elon's mum Maye accused him of beating her during their marriage. She also once revealed that Elon tried to stand up for her during one of the beatings as a child. Errol has always denied being abusive to his ex-wife. Errol will speak at the Future Forum 2050, organised by Malofeev and Putin ideologist and 'philosopher' Alexander Dugin. Meanwhile, Russia appears eager to capitalize on Musk's estrangement from the US political elite. Putin crony Dmitry Medvedev cheekily offered to mediate peace talks between 'D and E' — Trump and Elon— 'for a reasonable fee and to accept Starlink shares as payment.' Another Kremlin loyalist, ex-space chief Dmitry Rogozin, publicly offered Musk asylum. 'You are respected in Russia. If you encounter insurmountable problems in the US, come to us and become one of us,' Rogozin wrote. Russia would offer him 'reliable comrades and complete freedom of technical creativity'. TRUMP FALLOUT The world's richest man Musk — who reportedly donated $288 million to Trump's 2024 campaign and briefly served as a White House aide — has now turned on the president over his sweeping tax and spending bill. Elon even claimed on X that Trump was tied to disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, though the post was later deleted and the White House dismissed the allegation outright. Their bromance is now beyond repair. On Sunday, Trump confirmed to NBC that he has no interest in making amends: 'I would assume so, yeah,' he said when asked if their relationship was over. 'I have no intention of speaking to him.' The former allies have been locked in an escalating war of words for days - throwing insults at each other in an explosive dispute.