MYANMAR ANNOUNCES WEEK OF MOURNING, DEATH TOLL NOW 2000

A week of mourning will be observed in Myanmar as the death toll continues to rise following Friday’s 7.7 magnitude earthquake.

The deadly earthquake’s epicenter was close to the city of Mandalay, where rescuers have been able to free four people, including a pregnant woman and a girl, from collapsed buildings.

The country’s military junta said search and rescue operations are continuing.

The true scale of the disaster remains unclear because the communication system was severely disrupted. The United Nations have said its search and rescue efforts have been severely impacted by damaged roads and critical infrastructure.

But local officials have confirmed that the death toll now stands at 2056, with more than 3900 injuries and more than 270 still missing.

The military junta has declared a week of national mourning. On Tuesday, the country will come to a standstill at 12:51:02 – the moment the magnitude struck on Friday – to observe a moment of silence and remember the victims of the earthquake.

During this week, all national flags are to be flown at half-mast until April 6.

Meanwhile, in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, at least 19 people have lost their lives due to Friday’s earthquake.

Bangkok is located almost 1000 kilometres away from where the earthquake struck in Myanmar.

Authorities believe 76 people could still be trapped among the debris.

Image credit: SBS