Myanmar's government is coordinating all departments to work together to save lives during the critical 72-hour rescue window, amid what an official on Sunday described as a "very chaotic condition" following the devastating earthquake.
The rescue work after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck the southeast Asian country at around 12:50 local time (06:20 GMT) on Friday currently faces great difficulties, according to Min Min Thein, director general of the Department of Rehabilitation under the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.
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Myanmar making every effort to save lives in "very chaotic condition" after deadly earthquake: official
Myanmar making every effort to save lives in "very chaotic condition" after deadly earthquake: official
Myanmar making every effort to save lives in "very chaotic condition" after deadly earthquake: official
Myanmar making every effort to save lives in "very chaotic condition" after deadly earthquake: official
Myanmar making every effort to save lives in "very chaotic condition" after deadly earthquake: official
"Because of the strong nature of the earthquake, some of the basement floors collapsed down and some people are trapped in these areas. So we are identifying these people -- where are the missing people, where are the trapped people. The fire safety department, and also the military personnel, and also other representatives from different ministries, are working together to save the lives of the victims as much as we can. At the time, we also have some kind of damage in some of the hospitals, so it is a very chaotic condition at this moment. However, we are trying to manage as much as we can, and also these fire safety departments are working 24 hours these days to catch up the 'golden hours' -- 72 hours. And also, we are also arranging for the emergency shelters and also food and water assistance," he said.
Min Min Thein expressed the government's gratitude to the rescue teams rushing to the quake-hit areas from various countries, emphasizing that China's immediate response in dispatching experienced rescue teams demonstrates the friendship between China and Myanmar.
"So the first international [team] arriving is a Chinese rescue team, and then later followed by other teams. So such kind of experienced team, and also experienced with equipment, are coming together, expressing friendship between China and Myanmar," said the official.
Myanmar making every effort to save lives in "very chaotic condition" after deadly earthquake: official
Myanmar making every effort to save lives in "very chaotic condition" after deadly earthquake: official
Myanmar making every effort to save lives in "very chaotic condition" after deadly earthquake: official
Myanmar making every effort to save lives in "very chaotic condition" after deadly earthquake: official
Myanmar making every effort to save lives in "very chaotic condition" after deadly earthquake: official
