News Reporter Kelly Smyth tracks the large-scale devastation across Myanmar following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake, with aftershocks being felt as far away as Co. Tipperary and Co. Mayo.
On March 28 at 1pm, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit 17km north of Mandalay in Myanmar, a city with a population of over 1.5 million.
The earthquake was followed by a second smaller quake just 12 minutes after, with it recorded as being 6.4 magnitude. These quakes are believed to have been caused by faulting of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates, with the damage of the quakes concentrated mostly in Myanmar and Thailand. This earthquake is the strongest the region has felt since 1990.
According to the Irish National Seismic Network, seismic monitors picked up shockwaves from the earthquake as far away as Tipperary and Mayo. Seismographs in Dublin also detected sound waves from the large-scale earthquake over a 15 minute period.
150 people were believed to have died immediately after the earthquake, but the death toll has risen substantially following rescue efforts. According to state media, over 3,500 people died as a result of the quake, and 5,000 people were reported as injured. While 200 people remain missing, rescuers from neighbouring countries have been returned home.
Rescue efforts had been hindered due to adverse weather conditions, with strong winds and heavy rain being anticipated to continue throughout the following week.
Following the collapse of much infrastructure, many have been left homeless and forced to sleep in the open. The humanitarian organisation Save the Children expressed concern that access to clean water is also at risk.
The country has experienced instability since 2021, with the outbreak of armed conflict following a government takeover, with a junta currently ruling the country. A ceasefire is currently in place between militant groups, although UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urged the militant groups to maintain this ceasefire as aid is provided to those affected.