Earthquake in Myanmar: Rescue teams and aid from various countries flock to Mandalay

Rescuers search for missing people after an earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar, March 30, 2025. (Photo: THX/TTXVN)

On the third day since the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, rescue teams from countries in the region and the world are pouring into Mandalay to reinforce forces in the race against time to search for victims showing signs of survival.

On March 31, the Indonesian military deployed a hospital ship, three Hercules aircraft and four helicopters to support emergency response in Myanmar. The force includes a search and rescue team, medical team and logistics support.

According to a VNA reporter in Bangkok, on March 30, 55 Thai soldiers including 18 doctors and a search and rescue team departed for Myanmar with relief supplies to help earthquake victims.

This is the first of 1,000 troops the country is sending to support its neighbor, with further flights scheduled for April 2 and 5.

On the same day, two Indian Navy ships with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capability departed from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, bound for Yangon with 52 tonnes of relief supplies including drinking water, food and medicines, clothing and other emergency items. These will complement two ships that departed a day earlier carrying 20 tonnes of relief supplies.

Earlier, the Indian army also airlifted field hospitals with operating rooms, advanced X-ray machines and medical staff to Mandalay, the city most severely affected by the earthquake.

Meanwhile, on the morning of March 31, China's first batch of emergency humanitarian aid for Myanmar began to be transported from Beijing Capital International Airport. According to the China International Development Cooperation Agency, the initial supplies include tents, blankets and first aid kits.

On the ground, rescue forces are racing against time to search for victims showing signs of survival more than 70 hours after the earthquake.

According to Myanmar's State Administration Council, as of March 30, 300 people were still missing in the earthquake that killed about 1,700 people and injured 3,400.

On the morning of March 31, at least four survivors were rescued from the rubble in Mandalay and Naypyidaw cities thanks to the relentless efforts of all forces.

However, rescue work is also difficult and dangerous due to lack of equipment and especially from aftershocks as well as the risk of other earthquakes in the area.

According to the Myanmar Meteorological and Hydrological Department, as of the morning of March 31, 36 aftershocks, ranging in magnitude from 2.8 to 7.5, had been recorded in the area.

Meanwhile, on the morning of March 31, Muslims gathered near a destroyed mosque in the city to pray during al-Fitr, the holiday that ends the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Funerals for hundreds of victims of the earthquake are expected to take place on the same day./.

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/dong-dat-tai-myanmar-doi-cuu-ho-va-hang-vien-tro-cac-nuoc-do-ve-mandalay-post1023762.vnp