South Korea offers $2 million humanitarian aid to quake-hit Myanmar

Rescuers search for survivors AFP-Yonhap — Rescuers search for survivors/ AFP-Yonhap

SEOUL, March 29 (AJP) - The South Korean government has pledged $2 million (approximately 3 billion won) in emergency humanitarian assistance to Myanmar following a powerful earthquake that struck the country on Friday.

South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday that it hopes the aid "will help efforts to save lives in the affected areas." The ministry added that it "will closely monitor the damage situation and consider additional support if necessary."

The magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit an area 33 kilometers southwest of Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, causing buildings to collapse and trapping many people under rubble. The powerful tremor has resulted in extensive damage throughout the central region of the country.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the earthquake has surpassed 1,000 as recovery efforts continue for a second day. According to AFP, Myanmar's military government issued a statement on Saturday confirming 1,002 deaths and 2,376 injuries related to the disaster.

The number of fatalities has increased approximately sevenfold in just one day, up from the 144 deaths initially reported by Myanmar's military leader Min Aung Hlaing. Experts fear the casualty count will continue to rise dramatically as the country's infrastructure and social systems, already weakened by years of civil war, have suffered critical damage from the earthquake. Twelve aftershocks have been recorded so far, further complicating rescue and recovery efforts.

Candice Kim candicekim1121@ajupress.com