5.1 magnitude aftershock hits near Mandalay in Myanmar

A 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, on Sunday morning in the latest string of aftershocks.

The quake struck as emergency teams continued rescue operations in the hardest-hit areas of Myanmar following Friday’s massive 7.7-magnitude tremor, which has left at least 1,644 people dead, 2,376 injured and 3,408 missing according to the country’s ruling military junta.

There were no immediate reports of further damage after the latest aftershock.

Rescue efforts have been hindered by downed bridges, damaged roads, Unreliable communications and a civil war. According to local media many of Mandalay’s 1.5 million people were left sleeping on the streets as their homes were either brought down and they have been left homeless or in fear of the aftershocks.

The earthquake’s epicentre on Friday was near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, toppling many buildings and damaging infrastructure, including the city’s airport.

Neighbouring China and Thailand were also shaken by the quake, with at least 17 people reported dead in Thailand and 83 missing, while a tower in Bangkok collapsed.

Many hard-to-reach areas have yet to be accessed, while many rescue efforts have been carried out by civilians working by hand, in 41-degree Celsius heat. According to Cara Bragg, the Yangon-based manager of Catholic Relief Services in Myanmar, who said, “It’s mainly been local volunteers, local people who are just trying to find their loved ones,” adding, “I’ve also seen reports that now some countries are sending search and rescue teams up to Mandalay to support the efforts, but hospitals are really struggling to cope with the influx of injured people, there’s a shortage of medical supplies, and people are struggling to find food and clean water.”

Meanwhile, Myanmar’s resistance announced a partial ceasefire on Saturday to facilitate rescue efforts.

The Shadow National Unity Government, which leads the fight against the military junta that took power in 2021, has announced that its armed wing, the People’s Defence Force (PDF), will halt offensive military operations starting Sunday in areas affected by the earthquake.