The aftermath of the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday has left a grim scene in Sagaing, the city closest to the epicentre. According to reports, the air is now heavy with the stench of decaying bodies as rescue operations continue, with more victims being recovered than survivors.

The death toll has risen to at least 1,700, with over 3,400 people injured. However, authorities expect the numbers to climb as search teams uncover more victims from the rubble. In the past 48 hours, nearly 90 bodies have reportedly been retrieved, while 36 survivors have been rescued from collapsed homes, businesses, and Buddhist monasteries. Many monks and nuns are believed to be trapped beneath the debris.

Rescue efforts faced initial delays reportedly due to infrastructure damage. The collapse of Ava Bridge, a colonial-era structure spanning the Irrawaddy River, made it difficult for emergency teams from Mandalay to reach Sagaing. It was only after the reopening of the Yadanabon Bridge that rescuers were able to arrive and begin full-scale operations.

Reports indicate that in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, a lack of specialised equipment has forced both rescue workers and desperate relatives to dig through the rubble with their bare hands in search of survivors. As the situation unfolds, the focus is shifting from rescue efforts to recovering and burying the dead, highlighting the scale of the tragedy and the urgent need for assistance.