The death toll from a powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar has risen to nearly 700, as rescuers work tirelessly to search for survivors beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings.
The shallow 7.7-magnitude quake hit northwest of Sagaing in central Myanmar early in the afternoon, followed by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock just minutes later.
Widespread destruction has been reported, with buildings reduced to rubble, bridges downed, and roads severely damaged, particularly in Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay.
According to the ruling junta, at least 694 people have been killed and nearly 1,700 injured in the Mandalay region, believed to be the hardest hit. Additionally, about 10 fatalities have been confirmed in Bangkok, Thailand, where a high-rise building under construction collapsed.