Myanmar earthquake: hundreds more confirmed dead

10 hours ago 5

Myanmar's state media said the death toll from the earthquake had reached 3,354 on Saturday.

UN aid chief Tom Fletcher arrived in Mandalay city near the epicenter of the earthquake, and lauded humanitarian and community organizations who have been doing relief work. "The UN is here to help - the world must rally behind the people of Myanmar," he posted on X on Saturday.

On Friday, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said the junta was restricting aid to regions where people were against its rule.

Rescue missions from China, Russia, India and other Asian and Western nations have been working to help Myanmar deal with the aftermath of the quake. The US, which usually leads aid efforts in such situations belatedly sent a team on Friday.

Junta leader returns from Bangkok

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of Myanmar's military junta returned on Saturday after attending a summit in Thai capital Bangkok where he met with leaders of India, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

Since the military coup overthrew Myanmar's elected government in 2021, its rulers have been ostracized from most of the world.

Min Aung Hlaing is under multiple global sanctions and the International Criminal Court (ICC) is seeking an arrest warrant for him for alleged crimes against humanity committed against Rohingya Muslims.

Despite the devastation of the earthquake, Myanmar's military continued its ongoing bombing campaign until Wednesday, when it declared a ceasefire that will continue until April 22. The decision was announced after rebel groups had declared that they would cease fighting to allow aid distribution.

He told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the junta would hold "free and fair elections in December this year. However, many are skeptical of these plans.