Earthquake stories from Mandalay: historic buildings collapsed, hundreds under the rubble

It is feared that the death tool will be high after a 7.7 quake struck the country, already devastated by four years of civil war. Local sources report the collapse of temples, mosques and churches, as well as bridges and other structures, some housing displaced people who had fled junta attacks. Roads between the main cities are closed. A priest offers a prayer for Myanmar: “How long, O Lord?”

Yangon (AsiaNews) – Hundreds of people are feared dead in Myanmar following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that hit the country today, followed by a second major quake measuring 6.4 and several aftershocks, this in a country already reeling from four years of civil war.

The most affected area is the Sagaing along with the cities of Naypyidaw, the capital, and Mandalay, the epicentre of the earthquake and Myanmar’s second-largest city after Yangon.

In Mandalay a bridge collapsed, as did various historic buildings and places of worship, including several churches, but the extent of the damage is not yet clear.

A fire broke out at the university and some local sources told AsiaNews that scores of people are trapped in collapsed buildings. “More than 140 people are stranded in one mosque while rescuers are trying to get them out.”

Even in Mingun, a city between the Sagaing and Mandalay regions that houses several Buddhist temples, “various historic monuments have collapsed.”

Here, the day before the earthquake, monks fled their temples due to air strikes. The ruling junta is fighting resistance groups but its forces often target civilians.

In Naypyidaw, one of the largest hospitals collapsed, making it harder to help victims, other local sources report. Images from Agence France Presse show dozens of wounded lying outdoors waiting for treatment.

The roads connecting Naypyidaw and Mandalay also suffered serious damage, making travel impossible, including to Yangon.

Airports have been shut down following several collapses and flights cancelled until further notice. Rescue operations are hampered by power outages.

Damage was also reported in the dioceses of Pekhon and Taungngu, including a facility that housed war refugees from the Sagaing region.

A landslide occurred in Taunggyi, with the worst damage reported in the old part of the city, in particular St Joseph's Cathedral which since civil war broke out had become "a symbol of hope and gathering of the many displaced people who found refuge in Taunggyi over the years," other sources told AsiaNews.

The ruling military junta, which controls the areas of Mandalay and Naypyidaw, declared a state of emergency and immediately requested international aid, something it has done during past natural disasters only to use funds for its war machine rather than help victims.

The country lacks the capacity to deal with a disaster of this magnitude after years of a war that has also weakened the military.

According to some local seismologists, previous earthquakes of this intensity affected thousands of people. According to others, this one could be the most devastating earthquake in modern times.

“Last September, Myanmar was literally overwhelmed by a cyclone that devastated vast areas, now being rebuilt, “a local priest told AsiaNews. “The earthquake hit areas that had also been affected by the cyclone,” he added.

"Beyond the great fright, I saw sad and dismayed faces,” the clergyman lamented. “We didn't say much to each other. The people of Myanmar are patient, very patient. They know how to welcome and put up, but in the silence I saw in today's faces I strongly felt a common prayer: ‘How long, O Lord?’”

• myanmar
• earthquake
• mandalay
• naypyidaw
• sagaing
• civil war
• military junta
• resistance