Myanmar earthquake: Death toll mounts to 1,700

The devastation is massive beyond Bangkok, in Myanmar, where more than 1,700 have been killed, as more bodies continue to be pulled out from the rubble, the country’s military led government said on Monday (March 31).

Also read: Aid flows into Myanmar after quake but shortage of medical supplies hits rescue ops

Government spokesman Maj Gen Zaw Min Tun told state-run MRTV that besides the 1,700 people who are dead, another 3,400 have been injured and more than 300 were missing.

The smell of decaying bodies hung over the streets of Myanmar’s second-largest city on Sunday, said reports. People were frantically digging by hand to clear rubble in the hope of finding someone still alive two days after the earthquake.

Buckled roads, downed bridges, poor communications and the challenges of operating in a country in the midst of a civil war are affecting relief efforts.

Many buildings and infrastructure across Mandalay, one of Myanmar's largest cities, have been destroyed.

Myanmar's junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, issued a rare international plea for aid. The country has declared a state of emergency across six regions, and hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties.

Also read: Smell of death permeates Myanmar cities after quake kills over 1,600

Short-term shock for Bangkok

Meanwhile, in Bangkok, officials have embarked on an operation inspecting buildings. Traffic conditions are also gradually improving, with the Din Daeng Expressway set to reopen early tomorrow.

Essential services, including hospitals, are fully operational, and those injured or affected by property damage will be eligible for compensation, said reports.