In brief
After Friday's powerful earthquake shook Myanmar, more than 1,500 lives were lost, and the aftermath has plunged many into despair. In Mandalay, where the earthquake's effects were particularly severe, a group of volunteer rescuers led by Myo Zaw dug through the rubble of collapsed buildings under oppressive heat. Amidst the destruction, they managed to rescue a 12-year-old girl trapped under debris, however, they also unearthed the bodies of her family members, highlighting the grim reality they face.
Time is critical as rescue operations race against the 72-hour window in which survival chances diminish significantly. With the death toll rising and fears of further losses, the situation remains dire across the region, exacerbated by military airstrikes in other areas of the country, which have compounded hardships for those affected. Rescue workers and volunteers continue to search for survivors, grappling with the overwhelming heat and the stench of decomposition. The intensity of the tragedy is further marked by the earthquake being described as the worst to hit Myanmar in over a century, pushing communities to their limits as they strive to recover from the devastation.
