The death toll from 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar has risen to 2,056, with approximately 3,900 people injured and nearly 270 reported missing, according to the country&rsquo;s State Administration Council Information team on Monday.&nbsp;
International and domestic rescuers have been racing against time to save more lives in the quake-affected areas, Xinhua news agency reported.
Earlier in the day, Myanmar&rsquo;s State Administration Council&rsquo;s Chairman, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, announced a week-long mourning period following the deadly earthquake.
In recognition of and sympathy for the damage and loss of lives caused by the earthquake, the period from March 31 to April 6 has been declared national mourning days. During this time, the national flag will be flown at half-mast, he said.
Myanmar&rsquo;s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology reported that 36 aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging from 2.8 to 7.5, have occurred as of Monday morning.
A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake, followed by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock minutes later, struck Myanmar&rsquo;s Mandalay region on March 28, causing massive casualties and damage in multiple countries.
The epicentre was only about 20 km from Mandalay, the country&rsquo;s second-largest city with a population of 1.5 million. In response, the National Disaster Management Committee declared a state of emergency across the Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, the northeastern part of Shan State, the capital of Nay Pyi Taw, and the Bago region.
Rescue operations are still underway, while international relief efforts are being swiftly mobilized to address the dire needs of the affected population.
Several key roads linking Mandalay and Yangon in the south were damaged or blocked, while airports in Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw were temporarily shut down, with all flights cancelled.
Meanwhile, Myanmar&rsquo;s military junta banned the entry of foreign media seeking to cover the earthquake-devastated areas in the country. The junta has put the restriction, citing difficulties with accommodation, power outages, and water shortages.
&ldquo;It is not possible for (foreign journalists) to come, stay, find shelter, or move around here. We want everyone to understand this,&rdquo; said Zaw Min Tun, the regime&rsquo;s spokesperson, in an audio statement issued on Sunday.
As local reporters face severe restrictions in Myanmar, the denial of entry to foreign media raises grave concerns about the transparency of the junta&rsquo;s response to the catastrophe.
Several others have accused the junta of hindering humanitarian aid from reaching certain affected areas not under its direct control.
Photos and videos posted on social media showed significant structural damage to buildings, temples and several historical sites in the Mandalay region, including the Mandalay Palace and the Mahamuni Pagoda.
The earthquake is the strongest by magnitude so far this year, according to the United States Geological Survey. Tremors were felt in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and southwest China.
In Thailand, 10 people were killed and 42 others injured, with 78 others remaining missing in the capital of Bangkok, authorities said Saturday.
(with inputs from IANS)
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Search and rescue personnel look for survivors inside a building in Myanmar

National mourning declared even as rescuers race against time to find survivors

Myanmar Quake Death Toll Rises to 2,056

National mourning declared even as rescuers race against time to find survivors

March 31, 2025 | 19:17 IST