Rescuers Save 653 in Mandalay Earthquake

The State is carrying out earthquake rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts across various sectors, with about 84 per cent of the work completed in different sectors, said Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, at the first anniversary remembrance of the Mandalay earthquake.

The Senior General delivered a speech and presented commemorative medals to internal and international organizations which participated in the activities of response to the Mandalay earthquake, at the Myanmar International Convention Centre I (MICC I) in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.

All attendees at the ceremony observed a one-minute silence to pay tribute to the loss of lives and property in the devastating Mandalay earthquake, which struck on 28 March 2025.

Due to the 7.7 magnitude of the Mandalay earthquake, across 10 regions and states including Nay Pyi Taw, there were 3,818 deaths, five missing persons, and 5,104 injuries. A total of 162,563 households and 424,063 people were affected, with 279,111 people temporarily displaced. The total estimated value of damage and losses exceeded K7,979 billion.

Aids and relief supplies weighing 2,662.321 tonnes donated by organizations from the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, India, Belarus, Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan and Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UAE, Venezuela, Vietnam and AHA Centre and all of these stocks were distributed to the earthquake-affected areas.

Moreover, prefabricated offices, prefabricated houses, fuel, emergency operation theatres and medicines donated by the People’s Republic of China were systematically distributed.

During the period, a total of 1,935 rescue crew members and 845 health professionals and medical doctors from 25 countries carried out search and rescue operations and performed healthcare services for the quake-affected people. Meanwhile, members of the Myanmar Fire Brigade, police members, Tatmadaw members, Red Cross members and social organization members, together with international rescue teams, diligently carried out search and rescue for the victims and saved 653 individuals successfully.

The Senior General expressed his honour for the courageous survival of the earthquake-affected people and his recognition for the international rescue teams, Myanmar Fire Brigade, police members, Tatmadaw members, Red Cross membres and social organizations which risked their lives to carry out search and rescue efforts.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) was opened on the evening of 28 March 2025, immediately after the earthquake, and emergency response and recovery operations were systematically carried out around the clock, sector by sector, with full effort.

The State prioritized and swiftly implemented measures to search for and rescue those trapped in collapsed buildings, ensure that earthquake-affected people were moved under temporary shelter before the rains, provide for their immediate livelihood needs, restore communications, electricity, and drinking water supply, reopen schools in a timely manner, and deliver healthcare services.

The State provided support of K1 million for each person who died in the earthquake to assist their surviving families. In addition, over K1,600 billion in cash and construction materials were provided to aid the injured and to repair or rebuild damaged homes. More than K3,421.957 billion from the National Disaster Management Fund was allocated to support the repair, restoration, and reconstruction of religious schools, government offices and staff housing, educational, health, and basic infrastructure, as well as religious and cultural heritage buildings.

If the country aims to be built as a nation with guaranteed safety from disasters in the future, it is essential to learn lessons from past losses and damage caused by disasters and to ensure that all future construction of buildings, roads, and bridges fully complies with established standards, including building codes.

The State is carrying out earthquake rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts across various sectors, with about 84 per cent of the work completed in different sectors, and activities are continuing to be carried out with strong momentum. He expressed his belief that the incoming new government, which will soon assume national responsibilities, will be able to continue these ongoing earthquake recovery efforts at the current pace.

Myanmar ranks sixth in the 2025 World Risk Index, which measures a country’s exposure and vulnerability to damage from climate and environmental degradation, extreme weather events, and other hazards across economic, social, and other sectors. This underscores the urgent need for Myanmar to systematically integrate disaster risk management into every sector, ensuring that these efforts are carefully planned and implemented.

It is essential to incorporate disaster resilience and long-term sustainability into planning and implementation in future national development initiatives.

Just as the people have faced various disasters and challenges with the spirit of “We are Stronger, We are Together” and overcome them with resilience, they are encouraged to continue nurturing the same determination and strength in the future as the nation embarks on a new chapter, working hand in hand with the State to overcome challenges together.

The Senior General presented honorary commemorative medals for Tatmadaw members who participated in the activities of responding to the Mandalay earthquake to a senior Tatmadaw officer, for the Chinese rescue team to the Chinese ambassador to Myanmar, for the Russian rescue team to the Russian ambassador to Myanmar, and for the Indian rescue team to the Indian ambassador to Myanmar, respectively.

Commission Vice-Chairman Vice-Senior General Soe Win handed the medal to the Nepali ambassador to Myanmar for the Nepali rescue team, the Brazilian ambassador to Myanmar for the Brazilian rescue team, the UAE ambassador to Myanmar for the UAE’s rescue team and the Sri Lankan ambassador to Myanmar for the Sri Lankan rescue team, respectively.

Commission Member and Prime Minister U Nyo Saw, Executive Chief U Aung Lin Dwe, Commission Secretary General Ye Win Oo and Commission Member and Union Minister for Defence General Maung Maung Aye also presented the medals ambassadors, charges d’affaires ad interim, military attaches of relevant countries to Myanmar for their rescue teams, and representatives from MPF, Myanmar Earthquake Committee, Myanmar Engineering Council, Fire Services Department, Federation of Myanmar Engineering Societies, and Myanmar Geosciences Society.

The Senior General and attendees watched a documentary video clip on the Mandalay earthquake.

After the ceremony, the Senior General and attendees viewed the documentary photos on activities of responding to the Mandalay earthquake and ministerial booths.

Also, present at the ceremony were Union-level dignitaries, Union ministers, the commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command, deputy ministers, ambassadors, Military Attaches, officials from UN agencies and non-governmental organizations and well-wishers.

MNA/TTA

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