The China Story
at your Fingertips
OPEN
China has ramped up efforts to assist Myanmar in its rescue and relief operations, sending supplies and rescue teams to disaster-affected areas, after a magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck the Southeast Asian country on Friday, followed by multiple aftershocks.
President Xi Jinping extended condolences on Saturday to Myanmar's leader Min Aung Hlaing. In his message, Xi said he was shocked to learn of the strong earthquake, which resulted in heavy casualties and extensive loss of property in Myanmar.
On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi mourned the deceased, extended sincere condolences to their bereaved families, and offered sincere sympathies to the injured and others affected by the disaster.
China and Myanmar are a community of shared future, sharing weal and woe, and the two peoples have a profound fraternal friendship, Xi said, adding that China is ready to provide more assistance and continue to support efforts to help Myanmar overcome the disaster and rebuild homes at an early date.
Premier Li Qiang also extended his condolences on Saturday to Min Aung Hlaing over the earthquake.
As of noon on Sunday, the death toll in Myanmar had climbed to about 1,700, with another 3,400 people injured and 300 missing, according to the country's State Administration Council.
The areas most severely hit by the earthquake and its aftershocks, including Myanmar's second-largest city, Mandalay, and the country's capital, Nay Pyi Daw, have seen widespread damage to infrastructure, with hundreds of buildings reduced to rubble, according to reports.
At 7:38 pm on Sunday, a China International Search and Rescue team, comprising 118 personnel and six rescue dogs, departed from Beijing for Nay Pyi Daw to assist in disaster relief efforts, according to the Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management.
The team, equipped with two rescue vehicles and 634 pieces of rescue equipment, as well as medical supplies, is scheduled to head to other areas struck by the earthquake from Nay Pyi Daw.
On Saturday morning, a 37-member rescue and medical team from China's Yunnan province, which borders Myanmar and was also hit by the earthquake, arrived in Yangon, Myanmar's largest city, with emergency relief equipment. It was the first international team to reach Myanmar.
The team proceeded to Nay Pyi Daw, where it joined rescue operations alongside local emergency responders at 6:30 pm on Saturday. After overnight efforts, at 5 am on Sunday, the team rescued an elderly man who was trapped under the rubble of a local hospital for nearly 40 hours.
Several other groups from China, including an 82-member national team, three civil teams and a team from the Red Cross Society of China, joined the search and rescue operations in Myanmar over the weekend.
On Sunday afternoon, Yunnan sent approximately 7.3 metric tons of daily necessities and rescue supplies, including instant noodles, clothes, medicines and tents, which were transported by air from the provincial capital of Kunming to Yangon.
Li Ming, spokesman for the China International Development Cooperation Agency, said on Saturday that the Chinese government has pledged 100 million yuan ($13.77 million) in emergency humanitarian aid to support earthquake relief efforts at the request of Myanmar's government.
China will provide urgently needed supplies including tents, blankets, first-aid kits, food and drinking water, which were scheduled for delivery on Monday. Further assistance will be provided based on Myanmar's needs, Li added.
Meanwhile, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck Tonga, an island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, at 1:18 am on Monday local time, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.
China has ramped up efforts to assist Myanmar in its rescue and relief operations, sending supplies and rescue teams to disaster-affected areas, after a magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck the Southeast Asian country on Friday, followed by multiple aftershocks.
President Xi Jinping extended condolences on Saturday to Myanmar's leader Min Aung Hlaing. In his message, Xi said he was shocked to learn of the strong earthquake, which resulted in heavy casualties and extensive loss of property in Myanmar.
On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi mourned the deceased, extended sincere condolences to their bereaved families, and offered sincere sympathies to the injured and others affected by the disaster.
China and Myanmar are a community of shared future, sharing weal and woe, and the two peoples have a profound fraternal friendship, Xi said, adding that China is ready to provide more assistance and continue to support efforts to help Myanmar overcome the disaster and rebuild homes at an early date.
Premier Li Qiang also extended his condolences on Saturday to Min Aung Hlaing over the earthquake.
As of noon on Sunday, the death toll in Myanmar had climbed to about 1,700, with another 3,400 people injured and 300 missing, according to the country's State Administration Council.
The areas most severely hit by the earthquake and its aftershocks, including Myanmar's second-largest city, Mandalay, and the country's capital, Nay Pyi Daw, have seen widespread damage to infrastructure, with hundreds of buildings reduced to rubble, according to reports.
At 7:38 pm on Sunday, a China International Search and Rescue team, comprising 118 personnel and six rescue dogs, departed from Beijing for Nay Pyi Daw to assist in disaster relief efforts, according to the Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management.
The team, equipped with two rescue vehicles and 634 pieces of rescue equipment, as well as medical supplies, is scheduled to head to other areas struck by the earthquake from Nay Pyi Daw.
On Saturday morning, a 37-member rescue and medical team from China's Yunnan province, which borders Myanmar and was also hit by the earthquake, arrived in Yangon, Myanmar's largest city, with emergency relief equipment. It was the first international team to reach Myanmar.
The team proceeded to Nay Pyi Daw, where it joined rescue operations alongside local emergency responders at 6:30 pm on Saturday. After overnight efforts, at 5 am on Sunday, the team rescued an elderly man who was trapped under the rubble of a local hospital for nearly 40 hours.
Several other groups from China, including an 82-member national team, three civil teams and a team from the Red Cross Society of China, joined the search and rescue operations in Myanmar over the weekend.
On Sunday afternoon, Yunnan sent approximately 7.3 metric tons of daily necessities and rescue supplies, including instant noodles, clothes, medicines and tents, which were transported by air from the provincial capital of Kunming to Yangon.
Li Ming, spokesman for the China International Development Cooperation Agency, said on Saturday that the Chinese government has pledged 100 million yuan ($13.77 million) in emergency humanitarian aid to support earthquake relief efforts at the request of Myanmar's government.
China will provide urgently needed supplies including tents, blankets, first-aid kits, food and drinking water, which were scheduled for delivery on Monday. Further assistance will be provided based on Myanmar's needs, Li added.
Meanwhile, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck Tonga, an island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, at 1:18 am on Monday local time, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.
HONG KONG -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has announced that it has earmarked 30 million Hong Kong dollars ($3.86 million) from the Disaster Relief Fund for emergency relief projects following the 7.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday.
Meanwhile, various sectors in Hong Kong have been making donations to support earthquake relief, including the Hong Kong Red Cross, which has allocated 200,000 Hong Kong dollars ($25,712) to assist Myanmar and is currently providing emergency tracing services to help individuals in Hong Kong to locate family members who have lost contact due to the earthquake.
Additionally, the HKSAR government has dispatched a 51-strong search and rescue team to Myanmar, equipped with approximately 9 tons of supplies to aid in the search and rescue operations in the earthquake-affected areas.
A team of 118 members of the China International Search and Rescue flew to Myanmar to assist disaster relief efforts on Sunday evening, according to the Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management.
The members departed from Beijing at 7:38 pm Beijing time on two Y-20 transport aircraft of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force, bringing along with them six search and rescue dogs, two rescue vehicles, 634 sets of rescue equipment and supplies and medical materials.
They will first arrive in Nay Pyi Daw — capital of Myanmar — and then head to the areas stricken by the earthquake. The team includes earthquake experts, structural engineers, search and rescue personnel, medical staff and a search dog unit, it is also equipped with life detectors, demolition equipment, and a field hospital system, which enable the team to independently carry out 72-hour high-intensity rescue operations in two directions within the earthquake zone.
The CISAR, established in 2001, has assisted in over 20 international rescue missions, including the Indonesian tsunami and earthquakes in Pakistan and Nepal. It is certified by the United Nations as a professional heavy search and rescue team.
YANGON -- China Search and Rescue Team arrived in the hard-hit Mandalay City in Myanmar at around 17:00 local time on Sunday, according to China's Ministry of Emergency Management.
The Chinese rescue team, upon arrival, reviewed the disaster situation with the Chinese consular mission and the local government.
The team immediately sent an emergency squad to carry out field survey in the area where people were buried.
Seismic experts in the team also conducted a safety assessment of the damage to the buildings of the Chinese Consulate General in Mandalay.
Three civilian rescue teams organized by the Ministry of Emergency Management had arrived in Myanmar ahead of Sunday's arrival of the China Search and Rescue Team.
YANGON -- Members of the Blue Sky Rescue (BSR) team from China's Hunan province recovered a quake survivor in central Myanmar's severely-hit city of Mandalay at around 9:30 am local time on Sunday, according to the Chinese embassy in Myanmar.
The Yuelu BSR team collaborated with the local fire brigade to conduct demolition and rescue operations after detecting a survivor showing signs of life at the site of a collapsed building in Mandalay.
The first batch of five team members from the Yuelu BSR team departed from Changsha, capital of Hunan Province, on Saturday. A second batch of nine team members were scheduled to arrive in Myanmar on Sunday to join the earthquake relief efforts.
According to Myanmar's State Administration Council on Sunday, about 1,700 people died, 3,400 were injured, and 300 remained missing in the massive 7.9-magnitude earthquake in the country on Friday.
YANGON -- A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar at about 1:38 pm local time on Sunday, the country's Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) reported.
According to the DMH, the epicenter was located about eight km northwest of Patheingyi town in Mandalay Region.
The epicenter, with a depth of 35 km, was initially determined to be at 22.23 degrees north latitude and 96.05 degrees east longitude, the DMH said.
Xinhua reporters at Friday's quake scenes in Mandalay felt the tremor and witnessed the panic.
Yunnan province in Southwest China dispatched 7.3 tons of crucial relief supplies, including clothing, medicine, instant noodles, and tents, via a chartered China Eastern Airlines flight from Kunming to Yangon on Sunday. The aid shipment aims to bolster Myanmar's earthquake relief efforts, offering essential support to those affected by the disaster.
YANGON -- Fourteen Chinese nationals were injured in Friday's earthquake in Myanmar, the Chinese embassy in Myanmar confirmed on Sunday.
The embassy said it would send staff to Yangon People's Hospital to visit Chinese nationals who had been transferred from severely-hit Mandalay for treatment.
Around 1,700 people have been killed so far in the 7.7-magnitude earthquake, according to Myanmar's authorities.
YANGON - About 1,700 people died, 3,400 were injured, and 300 remained missing in the massive earthquake in Myanmar, according to the country's State Administration Council on Sunday.
NAY PYI TAW/KUNMING -- Myanmar's State Administration Council Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on Sunday extended his appreciation to members of China's Yunnan Rescue Medical Team for their timely assistance after a strong earthquake hit Myanmar Friday.
The Myanmar leader visited Ottara Thiri Private Hospital in Nay Pyi Taw, the Myanmar capital, on Sunday and thanked the Chinese rescue team, who rushed to the impact area in the first time for relief efforts.
The Chinese rescue team from Yunnan province in Southwest China, joined by Myanmar's rescue forces, retrieved an elderly man in the earthquake-hit Nay Pyi Taw at 05:00 local time on Sunday.
The man had been trapped for nearly 40 hours under the rubble of the hospital in the city. After an emergency rescue operation overnight, the person was the first survivor rescued by the Chinese team after they arrived in the earthquake-stricken area of Myanmar on Saturday.
The 37-member Chinese team carried full-function life detectors, earthquake early warning systems, portable satellite phones, drones and other rescue equipment in their rescue operations.
A 7.9-magnitude earthquake hit the Southeast Asian country on Friday. Several Chinese rescue teams have joined the relief efforts with their Myanmar counterparts.
BANGKOK -- The death toll in the Thai capital of Bangkok from a powerful earthquake that hit neighboring Myanmar rose to 17, with 32 people injured and 83 others remaining missing, local authorities said on Sunday.
According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), damage has been reported in 18 provinces across Thailand, impacting 420 homes, 48 temples, 76 hospitals, eight buildings, 23 schools, and 18 government offices.
The situation was under control and affected area assessments were underway, with the probability of aftershocks steadily decreasing, Phasakorn Boonyalak, director general of the DDPM, said in a statement.
Phasakorn noted that relevant agencies have been providing aid and assessing damage to facilitate assistance in accordance with applicable laws.
The department has also dispatched an Urban Search and Rescue team with specialized equipment from various disaster prevention and mitigation centers to Bangkok, the hardest-hit area, to aid in rescue efforts, he added.
An international rescue team dispatched by the Red Cross Society of China departed from Kunming, Yunnan province, to conduct humanitarian aid and life-saving search and rescue operations in Myanmar on Sunday. China Daily reporter Wei Xiaohao joined the team for frontline coverage of this cross-border assistance effort. (Video by Wei Xiaohao)
YANGON -- Thirteen Chinese nationals were injured in the earthquake in Myanmar, the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar confirmed on Sunday.
The embassy said in a written reply to Xinhua that the injured were in Mandalay Province, where most of whom are receiving medical treatment, and some of the injured are urgently transferred to Yangon for treatment.
As of 11:00 Beijing time on Sunday, the embassy had received and handled hundreds of requests for help from Chinese citizens and assisted dozens of people in finding their missing relatives and friends.
The embassy will do its best to provide consular protection and assistance to Chinese citizens, keep the consular helpline open, provide timely medical assistance information to the injured, and offer necessary assistance to those who lost their passports in the earthquake.
A total of 1,644 people died, 3,408 were injured and 139 remained missing in the earthquake in Myanmar, the country's Information Team of the State Administration Council said on Saturday night.
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit the Southeast Asian country on Friday. Several Chinese rescue teams have joined the relief efforts with their Myanmar counterparts.
One survivor was saved by China's Yunnan Rescue Medical Team in Nay Pyi Taw, the capital of Myanmar, on Saturday, following the 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the country on Friday.
In the video above, the Chinese rescue team at Ottara Thiri Hospital in Nay Pyi Taw detected the man trapped beneath collapsed floors for nearly 40 hours using life detection equipment.
The Chinese rescue team arrived in Nay Pyi Taw on Saturday and immediately joined forces with local Myanmar firefighters to search for survivors. (Reporter: Li Yingqing / Editors: Du Juan, Song Yi)
NAY PYI TAW/KUNMING -- A rescue team of China's Yunnan province, joined by Myanmar's rescue forces, retrieved an elderly man in earthquake-hit Myanmar capital Nay Pyi Taw at 05:00 local time on Sunday.
The man had been trapped for nearly 40 hours under the rubble of a hospital in the city. After an overnight emergency rescue, it was the first person rescued by the Chinese team after arriving in the earthquake-stricken area of Myanmar on Saturday.
The 37-member team from China's Yunnan province arrived in Myanmar on Saturday, carrying full-function life detectors, earthquake early warning systems, portable satellite phones, drones and other rescue equipment.
Team members, after landing in Yangon, headed to the hard-hit city of Nay Pyi Taw.
At 18:30 local time on Saturday, the rescue team arrived in Nay Pyi Taw, immediately starting their work. According to the team, the three-story hospital where it has been working on the rescue, was severely damaged, as the first floor completely collapsed, burying numerous people.
The rescuers have been using life detectors to find survivors with vital signs under the rubble.
YANGON -- Two survivors with vital signs were found by China's Yunnan Rescue Medical Team in Nay Pyi Taw, the capital of Myanmar, on Saturday, following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck the country on Friday.
The Chinese rescue team arrived in Nay Pyi Taw on Saturday and immediately joined forces with local Myanmar firefighters to search for survivors.
The quake caused severe damage to a three-story hospital, with the first floor completely collapsed, trapping patients beneath the rubble.
Using life detection equipment, the Yunnan rescue team located two survivors with vital signs.
According to a local fire department official, many of the casualties in the city were elderly and children, as the earthquake hit during working hours when most adults were away from home.
YANGON -- A rescue team from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government arrived in Yangon, Myanmar on Saturday after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit the country on Friday.
A chartered flight carrying a 37-member rescue team from Yunnan province and five tons of relief materials arrived in Myanmar on March 29 (Beijing time), becoming the first international rescue chartered flight to reach the earthquake-affected region.
YANGON -- A total of 1,644 people died, 3,408 were injured, and 139 remained missing in a powerful earthquake in Myanmar, according to the Information Team of the State Administration Council on Saturday night.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit the southeast Asian country on Friday, with Mandalay, Bago, Magway, the northeastern Shan state, Sagaing, and Nay Pyi Taw among the hardest-hit regions.
Myanmar's State Administration Council Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Mandalay by helicopter on Saturday morning to inspect the severely affected area, according to Myanmar Radio and Television. Min Aung Hlaing called for international assistance on Friday.
A chartered flight carrying a Chinese rescue team of 37 members and five tons of relief materials arrived in Myanmar on Saturday (Beijing time), becoming the first international rescue chartered flight to reach the earthquake-affected region, according to China Eastern Airlines.
Upon their arrival in Yangon, Myanmar, the emergency rescue team rushed to the earthquake-hit area and carried out rescue work immediately.
The relief materials included medical supplies, tents and blankets.
The chartered flight is conducted by China Eastern.
A 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.
MANILA -- The Philippines on Saturday said it has been ready to send emergency medical assistance teams to help Myanmar and Thailand after a powerful earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, killing over 1,000 people.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the Philippines is ready to deploy three emergency medical assistance teams once international coordination protocols with the affected countries are complete and a request is received.
The Department of Health could send medical teams "should there be a need for humanitarian medical assistance in Myanmar and Thailand. We are ready," Herbosa said.
A few hours after the powerful earthquake on Friday, the Philippine embassies in Myanmar and in Thailand advised Filipinos there to remain calm and vigilant.
According to the official data, there are approximately 811 Filipinos in Myanmar and 32,950 Filipinos in Thailand.
HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Saturday sent a 51-strong team to assist in the search and rescue work in the earthquake-stricken areas of Myanmar.
The team comprises officers from the Security Bureau, the Fire Services Department, the Immigration Department and the Hospital Authority, according to the government.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau and other officials attended a flag presentation ceremony in the afternoon before the team's departure.
The death toll from the magnitude 7.9 earthquake reached 1,002. Also, 2,376 people were injured and 30 are still missing as of Saturday, according to the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council.
In a social media post earlier in the day, the CE announced that the HKSAR government would deploy a team to Myanmar's earthquake-stricken area to assist in its search and rescue operations.
"The search and rescue team will do their utmost to help save lives on the ground," he wrote in the post.
Expressing condolences to the quake victims on behalf of all Hong Kong people and the government, Lee said his government would provide the rescue team the support they need to ensure they complete their task safely and smoothly.
"Upon receiving the order, this group of elite rescuers quickly assembled and will head to the disaster area in a short period of time, demonstrating their selfless and professional spirit," he wrote.
Pointing out that the current situation in the disasters-stricken area of Myanmar is still unstable, the CE said the rescue team must make full preparations and pay attention to their own safety.
The Immigration Department said it would continue to monitor the situation and work with Chinese Embassies in Thailand and Myanmar.
And the Security Bureau noted the yellow travel alert for Myanmar and Thailand remains in force, urging people planning to visit the two countries to prioritize their safety and stay informed.
Sixteen members of the Blue Sky Rescue Team, a Chinese civil relief squad, set off from a land port in Ruili city, Yunnan province, on Saturday morning, heading for Myanmar to assist with quake relief efforts.
YANGON -- A Chinese rescue team arrived at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar on Saturday afternoon to assist in disaster relief efforts following a devastating earthquake.
The rescue team, sent by the Chinese government at the request of the Myanmar government, departed from Beijing on Saturday morning.
A total of 82 rescuers were dispatched, along with rescue equipment and supplies.
A 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday. The information team of Myanmar's State Administration Council said 1,002 people have been killed, 2,376 were injured, and 30 remained missing.
All member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) stand ready to back up relief and recovery of Myanmar and Thailand from Friday's strong earthquake, said a joint statement of ASEAN foreign ministers, which also extended their deepest sympathies and condolences to the people of both countries.
Myanmar and Thailand were hit hard by the strongest quake in decades that struck central Myanmar. As of Saturday morning, a total of 694 people were killed, 1,670 injured and 68 missing in Mandalay region of Myanmar, the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council reported. About a dozen people have perished in the quake in Thailand, and more are missing.
The statement released on the association's official website on Saturday reaffirms ASEAN solidarity with the families and communities affected by the earthquake and its impact.
"ASEAN further recognizes the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and ASEAN stands ready to support relief and recovery efforts, including through the deployment of the ASEAN Emergency Response and Assessment Team, the utilization of the Disaster Emergency Logistics System for ASEAN, and the support of the Urban Search and Rescue, based on priorities identified by Myanmar and Thailand," said the statement.
The foreign ministers also emphasized that ASEAN affirms its solidarity and will work closely to coordinate humanitarian assistance, support and facilitate relief operations, and ensure timely and effective humanitarian response, with the assistance of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management.
Late Friday, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya delivered messages of condolences to Paetongtarn Shinawatra, prime minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, following the earthquake damage in Thailand.
They also extended the Japanese government's deepest sympathies to those who have been affected and said they pray for the swift recovery of those affected as well as the early restoration of the disaster-stricken areas.
A Chinese rescue team of about 40 professionals arrived in Myanmar early Saturday, and more rescuers from China are on the way.
Jinag Xueqing in Tokyo contributed to this report.
The Red Cross Society of China said on Saturday that it has sent emergency relief supplies and dispatched its international rescue team to support rescue and recovery efforts in Myanmar, which was hit by a 7.9-magnitude earthquake around midday Friday.
The first batch of relief supplies include 300 tents, 2,000 blankets, 600 folding beds and relief family kits that can meet demands of 2,000 affected families. They were sent from the organization's disaster relief facility in Southwest China's Yunan province that borders Myanmar.
The organization's international rescue group has also set off for Myanmar to carry out humanitarian aid and rescue missions.
The Red Cross Society of China said it will continue to monitor disaster relief needs in Myanmar and provide humanitarian assistance as needed.
BEIJING -- China has decided to provide Myanmar with 100 million yuan (approximately $13.9 million) in emergency humanitarian aid to support earthquake relief efforts, a spokesperson for the China International Development Cooperation Agency said on Saturday.
At the request of the Myanmar government, China will also send two rescue teams and supply tents, blankets, first-aid kits, food and drinking water -- items that are urgently needed in affected areas, said spokesperson Li Ming.
The first batch of supplies is scheduled for delivery on Monday, according to the agency. China will offer further assistance based on Myanmar's needs, it added.
A 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday. The information team of Myanmar's State Administration Council said 1,002 people have been killed, 2,376 were injured, and 30 remain missing.
BANGKOK -- Nine people were dead, nine injured and 101 others remained missing in the capital Bangkok, Thai authorities said on Saturday after a powerful earthquake struck Myanmar, sending strong tremors across Thailand.
According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), emergency disaster areas have been declared in Bangkok and two other provinces, with authorities conducting structural safety assessments and damage surveys across the affected regions.
Phasakorn Boonyalak, director general of the DDPM, said 14 provinces have reported damage following the earthquake that rocked central Myanmar on Friday afternoon.
Tremors were felt in 57 provinces, particularly in Bangkok, prompting mass evacuations from office buildings, residential complexes, and convention centers as people gathered on the streets and in parks as temporary shelters.
The earthquake disrupted multiple subway and skytrain services in Bangkok, bringing traffic to a standstill. Most train services resumed normal operations by Saturday morning.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said during a meeting for earthquake disaster updates and relief measures on Saturday that the earthquake situation has stabilized, with aftershock intensity gradually weakening.
KUNMING -- The homes of 847 households in Ruili city, Southwest China's Yunnan province that borders Myanmar, were damaged in a massive earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday.
As of Saturday noon, a total of 2,840 people in the city, which is about 300 km from the epicenter, have been affected, according to sources from the Ruili municipal government.
Following the quake, local governments have deployed task forces for disaster relief, monitoring geological hazards, inspecting water conservancy projects, repairing electrical facilities, and carrying out emergency road maintenance.
Two people sustained minor injuries in the quake and have received medical treatment. The city government is currently assessing the extent of the losses suffered by local residents.
Water, electricity, transportation and communication in Ruili have returned to normal.
So far the devastating quake has killed 1,002 people, injured 2,376 and left 30 missing in Myanmar.
BEIJING -- The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) extended its heartfelt sympathies to those affected by the strong earthquake in Myanmar through a message of support on Friday.
The association also conveyed its condolences to the members of the bereaved families in its message to the Myanmar-China Friendship Association.
Highlighting the geographical proximity and the deep bond between the two countries, the CPAFFC said that the Chinese people are deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of their friends in Myanmar, and share their pain and sorrow.
The CPAFFC said it is ready to work with the Myanmar-China Friendship Association to help with relief efforts. It also conveyed hope that those affected will overcome the disaster, rebuild their homes, and return to normal life as soon as possible.
A 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar at 2:20 pm Friday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center. The information team of Myanmar's State Administration Council said on Saturday that so far, 1,002 people have been killed, 2,376 injured, and 30 remain missing.
Established in Beijing in 1954, the CPAFFC is a non-governmental body dedicated to enhancing friendly exchanges between China and the rest of the world.
KUNMING -- Southwest China's Yunnan province has sent tents, blankets and folding beds to Myanmar on Saturday morning, after a massive earthquake jolted the Southeast Asian country on Friday.
The first batch of 80 tents and 290 blankets was sent to Myanmar via air at around 6:30 am from the provincial capital Kunming. Preparation and transportation efforts for additional relief supplies are still underway, according to the Yunnan Food and Strategic Reserves Bureau.
Earlier on Saturday, a 37-member rescue team from Yunnan province arrived in Myanmar, while a group of 16 Chinese volunteers also set out for the quake-hit areas to assist in disaster relief and rescue efforts.
So far the devastating quake has killed 1,002 people, injured 2,376 and left 30 missing in Myanmar, according to the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council.
KUNMING -- A group of 16 Chinese volunteers set off for the quake-hit Myanmar on Saturday morning to provide assistance in disaster relief and rescue efforts.
The volunteers, all experienced members of the Blue Sky Rescue team — a Chinese civil relief squad — departed from Ruili city in Southwest China's Yunnan province, which borders Myanmar, at around 9:30 am.
Equipped with emergency relief supplies, including first aid kits, power generation and lighting facilities, and demolition tools, they traveled in a convoy of five vehicles.
"We are the first team and will be followed by a second and a third team," said Gao Hengyi, head of the Ruili branch of BSR.
They followed a 37-member rescue team sent by Yunnan province, which arrived in Myanmar earlier on Saturday morning.
At the request of Myanmar, China dispatched a search and rescue team to the earthquake-stricken areas on Saturday morning to carry out international rescue operations.
According to the Ministry of Emergency Management, the rescue team has already departed from Beijing on a chartered Air China flight heading to the disaster areas.
On Friday, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, resulting in significant casualties and property damage.
Xinhua News Agency, citing SAC information team, reported that as of Saturday, 1,002 people have died, 2,376 have been injured, and many are missing across all affected regions in the country.
According to a news release from the Ministry of Emergency Management, the Chinese rescue team consists of 82 members.
They are equipped with rescue gear and materials to make every effort to assist Myanmar in emergency rescue and relief efforts, it said.
YANGON -- The devastating earthquake in Myanmar has claimed 1,002 lives, left 2,376 injured, and 30 people reported missing, according to the Information Team of the country's State Administration Council (SAC) in a report at around 11:20 am local time Saturday.
Rescue and relief efforts are currently underway in the earthquake-affected regions of Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, Bago, the northeastern part of Shan State and Nay Pyi Taw, the report said.
SAC chairman Min Aung Hlaing emphasized the urgency of swift rescue efforts, ensuring the injured are promptly transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
He also stressed the importance of addressing safety concerns by clearing buildings damaged by the quake and providing essential services such as water, food and accommodations for the victims, it added.
A 7.7-magnitude quake struck approximately 20 km northeast of Mandalay at 12:51 pm local time on Friday. The epicenter, with a depth of 10 km, was at 22.09 degrees north latitude and 96.23 degrees east longitude.
Related: Chinese rescue team arrives at Myanmar after strong tremors
A rescue team from Southwest China's Yunnan province arrived at Yangon, Myanmar, early Saturday after a massive earthquake jolted the Southeast Asian country on Friday.
Mu Shuyuan, team leader, talked about the challenges his team would face before departing for the quake-hit country.
Live updates: 7.9-magnitude quake hits Myanmar
BEIJING -- President Xi Jinping on Saturday extended condolences to Myanmar's leader Min Aung Hlaing over the massive earthquake that hit the country on Friday.
In a message, Xi said he was shocked to learn of the strong earthquake in Myanmar, which caused heavy casualties and property losses.
On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi mourned the deaths and extended sincere condolences to the bereaved families, the injured and the people affected by the disaster.
China and Myanmar are a community of shared future sharing weal and woe, and the two peoples enjoy a profound fraternal friendship, said Xi.
China is ready to provide assistance, and support efforts to overcome the disaster and rebuild homes at an early date, he said.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Saturday also extended condolences to Min Aung Hlaing over the earthquake.
MANDALAY, Myanmar -- A total of 694 people were killed, 1,670 injured and 68 missing in a deadly earthquake in Mandalay region of Myanmar as of Saturday morning, the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council reported.
A rescue team from Southwest China's Yunnan province arrived at Yangon, Myanmar, early Saturday after a massive earthquake jolted the Southeast Asian country on Friday.
At least 144 people were killed and 732 injured in Myanmar after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake jolted the country on Friday.
Myanmar's State Administration Council Chairman, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, called for assistance from the international community, according to local reports.
At 6:30 am on Saturday, a rescue and medical team of 37 members departed from the Changshui International Airport in Kunming, Yunnan province, for the earthquake-stricken area in Myanmar.
They carried a large amount of emergency search and rescue equipment and relief supplies such as full-function life detectors, earthquake early warning systems, portable satellites and drones, Xinhua News Agency reported.
A powerful earthquake, which was monitored at 21.85 degrees north latitude and 95.95 degrees east longitude, rocked central Myanmar on Friday.
According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the earthquake struck at a depth of 30 kilometers and reached 7.9 magnitude.
MANDALAY, Myanmar -- Myanmar's Department of Meteorology and Hydrology said Saturday morning that 12 aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging from 2.8 to 7.5, occurred on Friday following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake at 12:51 pm local time on Friday.
At 6:30 am on Saturday, a rescue and medical team of 37 members departed from the Changshui International Airport in Kunming, Yunnan province, for the earthquake-stricken area in Myanmar.
They carried a large amount of emergency search and rescue equipment and relief supplies such as full-function life detectors, earthquake early warning systems, portable satellites and drones, Xinhua News Agency reported.
A powerful earthquake, which was monitored at 21.85 degrees north latitude and 95.95 degrees east longitude, rocked central Myanmar on Friday.
According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the earthquake struck at a depth of 30 kilometers and reached 7.9 magnitude.
Southwest China's Yunnan province experienced strong tremors as a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar at a depth of 30 kilometers at 2:20 pm on Friday.
According to the China Earthquake Administration, strong tremors were felt in Yunnan's Dehong, Lincang, Baoshan, Xishuangbanna, Lijiang and Dali, while Chuxiong and Kunming experienced noticeable shaking.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, a video clip showing the damage to a tall building of the Fortune Mall in Ruili of Yunnan's Dehong Dai and Jingpo autonomous prefecture garnered significant attention on social media platforms.
"I felt a mild shake first, so I went out of the building to the street. Then, a strong shake was felt and I can see the building was shaking too," Ge Zhaolan, 45, a merchant at the shopping mall, told China Daily.
He said the rooftop water tank on the 30th floor was broken, leading to a substantial spilling of water.
"I was hit by the water too, but it was not as terrifying as the video showed," he recalled.
Another merchant told Nanfang Metropolis Daily that during the incident, a female employee at her shop witnessed another employee at a nearby bubble tea store being struck on the head by falling debris, resulting in a head injury and profuse bleeding.
The injured individual was swiftly transported and given medical attention, she said.
Footage from surveillance cameras provided by the merchant depicted a scene where a torrent of water cascaded down, knocking down several individuals.
"Basically, all occupants were able to evacuate unharmed," she said.
According to the China Earthquake Administration, the earthquake's epicenter was approximately 294 kilometers from the nearest Chinese border and about 310 km from the city hall of Ruili.
The administration immediately activated its emergency response mechanism. The authorities organized rolling consultations to assess the situation and rushed a team from the Yunnan Earthquake Agency to Ruili to assist local authorities in emergency response efforts.
Ruili's information office told CCTV News on Friday afternoon that only two individuals sustained minor injuries at the Fortune Mall and were promptly taken to a hospital for treatment. There have been no reported casualties, although several old buildings suffered damage. The city has maintained order with normal traffic and communication.
According to the National Fire and Rescue Administration, after the earthquake, fire and rescue teams in Yunnan quickly assembled and prepared. Four teams were dispatched, and several other teams stayed prepared for deployment and reinforcement.
As of 3:30 pm, local transportation, roads, telecommunication and internet services were normal, and relevant information was tracked and verified.
Contact the writers at liyingqing@chinadaily.com.cn
For Rajiamuchan Burgin, a resident of Thailand's capital city, the earthquake on Friday afternoon was the "severest earthquake (that I experienced) since I was born".
Rajiamuchan was driving her car in downtown Bangkok and was stuck in a traffic jam when she felt the tremors.
"My car was shaking while the road signs also swung from left to right. My mind went blind and I was frozen at the moment," she said.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra put the capital city of Bangkok under a state of emergency following a strong earthquake in Myanmar that shook countries in the region, including China and Thailand.
Apart from Bangkok, tremors were also felt in the northern Thailand provinces including Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar at midday Friday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand announced "the immediate suspension of all trading activities" for the afternoon session. Trading was also suspended at Thailand's Market for Alternative Investment and the Thailand Futures Exchange.
Transportation was disrupted with the Bangkok Mass Transit System suspending operations on the Sukhumvit Line while the Air Traffic Control issued a nationwide no-fly order for all airports in Thailand.
Later in the afternoon, the Airports of Thailand Public Company announced that six airports under its management, including those in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, have resumed normal operations as of 2:30 pm.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has declared the Thai capital a Level 2 disaster zone. He ordered the setting up of an earthquake response command center, chaired the emergency meeting and instructed all districts and hospitals to assess damages.
Authorities issued nationwide alerts, advised the public via SMS and media and mobilized security forces. Airports, hospitals, and transport were on standby.
Thailand's police and military were evacuating people from unsafe buildings, aiding victims and managing traffic. Police hospitals were on standby for emergencies.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai visited the collapsed construction site in the district of Chatuchak in Bangkok where three fatalities have been confirmed, according to a report by online newspaper The Nation.
Phumtham identified two major collapse sites: the 34-story Budget Bureau building in Chatuchak and a three-story building in Bang Khun Thian, Bangkok's southernmost district.
When Rajiamuchan rolled down her car window to talk with a driver nearby, she said: "We just felt hard to believe. And it was really scary as we were all afraid of the possibility that the road may fall apart, but feel helpless because we could do nothing about it. I could only pray that it won't happen with another hit."
This reporter of China Daily in Bangkok personally experienced the sudden and intense shaking on Friday. It continued for a few seconds, paused briefly, and then resumed for another ten or more seconds.
Running out to a nearby parking lot, this reporter found streetlights on an elevated expressway, which was about 100 meters away from her, shaking violently.
Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in its latest report that the Meteorological Department and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation are closely monitoring the situation and have warned of possible aftershocks. The Thai Meteorological Department will provide updates through its Facebook account.
Government agencies have likewise issued respective directives to manage the situation. The Ministry of Education has ordered the closure of schools nationwide, the Ministry of Public Health is establishing emergency response centers and the Ministry of Interior has instructed provincial governors to activate command centers.
Contact the writers at yangwanli@chinadaily.com.cn
UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations on Friday allocated an emergency $5 million to Myanmar for earthquake aid while determining additional needs and coordinating the response, a UN spokesman said.
"The UN is gathering information on the number of people impacted, damage to infrastructure and immediate humanitarian needs to guide the response," Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general, told reporters. "The UN is mobilizing teams and support."
At least 144 people were killed and 732 injured in Myanmar after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake jolted the country on Friday, according to Myanmar's State Administration Council. Dujarric said Myanmar's authorities called for the international community to support the response efforts.
The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher allocated 5 million U.S. dollars from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund to support life-saving assistance.
Dujarric said the earthquake has caused significant damage in central Myanmar, Mandalay City, near the epicenter, as well as in Nay Pyi Taw territory, Bago, Magway, Sagaing, Shan state and possibly other regions.
It will compound an already dire humanitarian situation in Myanmar, where nearly 20 million people need assistance, including more than 3.5 million people displaced from their homes, the spokesman said.
"Beyond Myanmar, the impact appears to be greatest in Thailand," he said. "Reports indicate that a high-rise building in Bangkok collapsed, resulting in casualties. A state of emergency has been declared in Bangkok and the government is scaling up its response."
He added that China's Yunnan province, bordering Myanmar, also recorded strong tremors. Initial reports indicate limited disruptions and damage in the province.
"The tremors also reportedly caused panic in several cities in Bangladesh, including Dhaka and Chattogram," Dujarric said. "While there were no immediate reports of casualties in Bangladesh, authorities remained alert for potential aftershocks."
The spokesman said the world body will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide support and assistance as needed.
BEIJING - China stands ready to do its best to provide emergency humanitarian assistance and support to the affected area in Myanmar in light of their need to help people there carry out disaster relief and rescue and pull through this trying time, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.
The spokesperson made the remarks when asked to provide more information about Chinese casualties in the 7.9-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar and China's assistance in disaster relief and rescue efforts.
Noting Myanmar is China's friendly neighbor, the spokesperson said that China is closely following the situation after the earthquake and extends sincere sympathies to Myanmar.
"We hope and believe that the government and people of Myanmar will overcome difficulties and rebuild their home at an early date," the spokesperson said.
After the earthquake, the Chinese Embassy and Consulate-General in Myanmar immediately activated the emergency response mechanism and released relevant consular notice. They fully gathered and verified information to find out if any Chinese institutions, companies or nationals have been affected, the spokesperson said, noting that so far, no deaths have been reported among Chinese nationals there.
"The people of China and Myanmar enjoy a profound 'pauk-phaw' (fraternal) friendship. We feel for the people of Myanmar over the disaster," the spokesperson said.
Regions in Southwest China's Yunnan province experienced strong tremors as a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar at a depth of 30 kilometers at 2:20 pm on Friday.
According to the China Earthquake Administration, strong tremors were felt in Yunnan's Dehong, Lincang, Baoshan, Xishuangbanna, Lijiang and Dali, while Chuxiong and Kunming experienced noticeable shaking.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, a video clip showing the damage to a tall building of the Fortune Mall in Ruili of Yunnan's Dehong Dai and Jingpo autonomous prefecture garnered significant attention on social media platforms.
"I felt a mild shake first, so I went out of the building to the street. Then, a strong shake was felt and I can see the building was shaking too," Ge Zhaolan, 45, a merchant at the shopping mall, told China Daily.
He said the rooftop water tank on the 30th floor was broken, leading to a substantial spilling of water.
"I was spilled (hit) by the water too, but it was not that terrifying as the video showed," he recalled.
Another merchant told Nanfang Metropolis Daily that during the incident, a female employee at her shop witnessed another female employee at a nearby bubble tea store being struck on the head by falling debris, resulting in a head injury and profuse bleeding.
The injured individual was swiftly transported and given medical attention, she said.
Footage from surveillance cameras provided by the merchant depicted a scene where a torrent of water cascaded down, knocking down several individuals.
"Basically, all occupants were able to evacuate unharmed," she said.
According to the China Earthquake Administration, the earthquake's epicenter was approximately 294 kilometers from the nearest Chinese border and about 310 km from the city hall of Ruili.
The administration immediately activated its emergency response mechanism.
The authorities organized rolling consultations to assess the situation and rushed a team from the Yunnan Earthquake Agency to Ruili to assist local authorities in emergency response efforts.
Ruili's information office told CCTV News on Friday afternoon that only two individuals sustained minor injuries at the Fortune Mall and were promptly taken to a hospital for treatment. There have been no reported casualties, although several old buildings suffered damage. The city has maintained order with normal traffic and communication.
According to the National Fire and Rescue Administration, after the earthquake, fire and rescue teams in Yunnan quickly assembled and prepared. Four teams were dispatched, and several other teams stay prepared for deployment and reinforcement.
As of 3:30 pm, local transportation, roads, telecommunication, and internet services were normal, and relevant information tracked and verified.
The earthquake may trigger a local tsunami, but as the epicenter is located outside the Pacific region, it will not affect the coastal areas of China, said China's Ministry of Natural Resources.
