Rescue Operation in Myanmar's Nay Pyi Taw After Earthquake

Synopsis

A 26-year-old hotel staff member was rescued from the rubble of a hotel in Nay Pyi Taw five days after a devastating earthquake struck Myanmar. The ongoing rescue efforts aim to locate other trapped individuals amidst a rising death toll and humanitarian concerns.

Key Takeaways

A 26-year-old hotel worker was rescued after five days.
The earthquake's death toll has reached 2,719.
Rescue operations continue for other trapped individuals.
Concerns arise about the military junta's handling of humanitarian aid.
International aid organizations are struggling to respond effectively.

Yangon, April 2 (NationPress) A 26-year-old hotel employee was successfully rescued from the debris of a collapsed hotel in Nay Pyi Taw on Wednesday, five days following the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that hit the nation, as reported by the State Administration Council's information team.

Two individuals were trapped beneath the rubble, and rescue personnel from the Myanmar Fire Services Department and Turkey collaborated to bring one survivor to safety, according to the information team.

The rescue mission commenced at approximately 3:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday, with the man being pulled from the wreckage around 12:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday.

Rescue efforts continue in search of the other trapped individuals, as reported by Xinhua.

The death toll from the earthquake has now reached 2,719, with around 4,521 injured and 441 still unaccounted for, stated Prime Minister Min Aung Hlaing.

Additionally, Hlaing, the junta leader, dismissed ceasefire suggestions from Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) and announced that military operations would proceed.

This decision has a direct impact on humanitarian initiatives as the number of casualties from the catastrophic earthquake increases.

"Some ethnic armed factions may not currently be involved in combat, but they are organizing and training for future attacks. This behavior is deemed aggressive, prompting the military to maintain necessary defense measures," Hlaing remarked during a fundraising event in Naypyidaw on Tuesday.

A significant 7.7-magnitude earthquake, followed by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock shortly thereafter, struck the Mandalay region on Friday, inflicting severe casualties and damage.

On Monday, Myanmar declared a week-long mourning period in response to the earthquake that caused widespread devastation.

The earthquake has left entire communities in shambles, raising concerns that Myanmar’s military junta might misdirect humanitarian aid to favored regions instead of areas that need help the most.

The United Nations and global aid organizations are facing challenges in responding to the catastrophic earthquake, which has ravaged cities like Mandalay, Sagaing, and Naypyitaw, displacing tens of thousands. Hospitals are overwhelmed with a surge of patients.

However, the United Nations, US, India, European Union, and various other countries and organizations have initiated aid and rescue operations for the earthquake victims in Myanmar.

The Indian Army and Navy have mobilized their resources to provide immediate rescue assistance and long-term support to the affected populations.