Survivors Still Found Amid Burma Earthquake's Devastation as Death Toll Surpasses 2,700

Rescue workers in Burma's capital, Naypyitaw, saved a 63-year-old woman from the rubble 91 hours after a devastating earthquake struck, but hopes of finding more survivors are dwindling as the death toll climbs past 2,700.

The earthquake, a violent 7.7 magnitude shock that hit midday Friday, has left thousands injured and hundreds missing. Experts note that survival chances drop drastically after 72 hours, making this rescue bittersweet.

Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, head of Burma's military government, revealed the grim statistics: 2,719 dead, 4,521 injured, and 441 missing. However, these numbers are expected to rise as vast areas remain inaccessible due to power outages, disconnected communication lines, and destroyed infrastructure.

The hardest-hit areas include Mandalay, Burma's second-largest city, and Naypyitaw, both near the quake's epicenter. "The needs are massive, and they are rising by the hour," said Julia Rees, UNICEF's deputy representative for Burma, emphasizing the desperate shortages of clean water, food, and medical supplies.

In Mandalay alone, the fire department has rescued 403 people and recovered 259 bodies. One tragic scene involved the collapse of a monastery during a religious exam, killing 50 Buddhist monks and leaving 150 others buried under debris.

Over 10,000 buildings have been destroyed or severely damaged across central and northwest Burma, according to the World Health Organization. Neighboring Thailand also felt the earthquake's fury, where a high-rise building under construction collapsed, killing 21 people and injuring 34. Rescue efforts are ongoing there as well.

In an act of solemn remembrance, search teams across Burma paused briefly at midday Tuesday for a minute of silence to honor the dead.

Foreign aid is trickling in, albeit slowly, due to logistical challenges and a lack of heavy machinery. In Naypyitaw, rescuers resorted to forming human chains to clear debris, manually passing pieces of concrete and brick out of collapsed buildings.

Despite the hurdles, there have been remarkable rescues. A Chinese team pulled four survivors, including a 5-year-old and a pregnant woman, from the ruins of the Sky Villa apartment complex. Two teenagers also managed to crawl out of the rubble and use their cellphone flashlights to guide rescuers to their grandmother and sibling.

International rescue teams from countries like Russia, China, India, and the UAE have joined the effort, alongside millions in pledged aid. However, the situation is exacerbated by Burma's ongoing civil war, which has already displaced over 3 million people and left nearly 20 million in need.

Humanitarian groups warn of potential disease outbreaks due to destroyed water and sanitation systems. Respiratory infections, skin diseases, and vaccine-preventable illnesses like measles are major concerns, especially as overcrowded shelters and the looming monsoon season compound the crisis.

Burma's political turmoil adds another layer of complexity. The military government, which seized power in 2021, has historically obstructed foreign aid efforts, but this time Min Aung Hlaing has stated that outside assistance is welcome. Still, skepticism lingers, given past restrictions during disasters like Cyclone Nargis in 2008.

Meanwhile, the opposition National Unity Government (NUG) has called for a unilateral ceasefire and urged the international community to ensure aid directly reaches earthquake victims. "Any obstruction to these efforts will have devastating consequences," the NUG warned in a statement.

As rescue efforts continue, the focus remains on saving lives amidst the chaos of both natural and political disasters. The clock is ticking, and the challenges are monumental.