Earthquake in Myanmar: Rescue teams and aid from various countries pour into Mandalay.

Rescue workers search for missing people after an earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 30, 2025. (Photo: THX/VNA)

On the third day since the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, rescue teams from the region and around the world are converging on Mandalay to reinforce the race against time to find victims showing signs of life.

On March 31, the Indonesian military deployed one hospital ship, three Hercules aircraft, and four helicopters to support emergency response in Myanmar. This force includes a search and rescue team, a medical team, and logistical support.

According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Bangkok, on March 30, 55 Thai soldiers, including 18 doctors and a search and rescue team, departed for Myanmar with relief supplies to help earthquake victims.

This is the first group of 1,000 military personnel that the country is deploying to support its neighbor. Subsequent flights are expected on April 2nd and 5th.

On the same day, two Indian Navy ships capable of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) departed the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, heading towards Yangon with 52 tons of relief supplies including drinking water, food and medicine, clothing and other emergency items. These two ships will supplement two ships that departed the previous day carrying 20 tons of relief supplies.

Earlier, the Indian army had also airlifted field hospitals equipped with operating rooms, advanced X-ray machines, and medical personnel to Mandalay, the city hardest hit by the earthquake.

Meanwhile, on the morning of March 31, the first shipment of emergency humanitarian aid from China to Myanmar began arriving from Beijing International Airport. According to the China International Development Cooperation Agency, the initial supplies included tents, blankets, and first-aid kits.

On the ground, rescue forces are racing against time to find victims showing signs of life more than 70 hours after the earthquake.

According to Myanmar's State Management Council, as of March 30, 300 people were still missing in the earthquake, which has killed approximately 1,700 people and injured 3,400.

On the morning of March 31, at least four survivors were rescued from the rubble in the cities of Mandalay and Naypyidaw thanks to the tireless efforts of all forces.

Nevertheless, rescue efforts faced numerous difficulties and dangers due to a lack of equipment and, in particular, from aftershocks and the risk of further earthquakes in the area.

According to the Myanmar Meteorological and Hydrological Service, as of the morning of March 31, 36 aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging from 2.8 to 7.5, had been recorded in the area.

Meanwhile, on the morning of March 31, Muslims gathered near a destroyed mosque in the city to pray for al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Funerals for hundreds of earthquake victims were also scheduled for the same day.

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