A team of about 30 experts from China is currently in Myanmar to assess the aftermath of the 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the country last month.
The team, including professionals from the China Earthquake Administration (CEA), Tongji University, and Harbin Institute of Technology, was dispatched at the request of the Myanmar government on Thursday.
The aftermath assessment will provide a scientific basis for post-disaster reconstruction, disaster prevention, and mitigation, according to the CEA.
So far, the administration said the team has completed the disaster investigation and assessment tasks in Yangon, Bago and Nay Pyi Taw. It has assessed the intensity and extent of the earthquake in the areas and put forward emergency response and repair suggestions for damaged houses.
At the Children's Hospital in Myanmar's capital Nay Pyi Taw, situated approximately 260 kilometers from the epicenter, experts found that the earthquake fault line ran beneath one of the buildings. This resulted in severe tilting and fracturing of the pillars, with the ground displaying significant cracks, causing extensive structural damage to the building.
"Over there, the other three buildings were not cut through by the earthquake fault line, so they only experienced minor damage. However, this building that was directly intersected by the fault line suffered severe damage, and it cannot be repaired. It can only be demolished and rebuilt," said Sun Baitao, a researcher at the Institute of Engineering Mechanics of the CEA.
Meanwhile in Sagaing, the expert group observed a large number of collapsed brick walls, with some low-rise buildings showing significant deformation and tilting. These buildings have been severely damaged and are no longer inhabitable.
As of April 26, the earthquake has claimed 3,769 lives and injured 5,106 people, with 107 others remaining unaccounted for, according to Myanmar's official data.
Chinese experts conduct quake assessment in Myanmar
