Editorial | Rescue heroes brave dangers on all fronts in Myanmar tragedy
As death toll from powerful earthquake rises, teams from Hong Kong and mainland China still hope to find life in ruins while civil war goes on
The scope of the humanitarian crisis triggered by the strongest earthquake to strike Myanmar in more than a century is still unfolding.
The death toll from Friday’s 7.7 temblor has climbed to more than 3,000, as rescuers work tirelessly to free those trapped in the rubble.
Another 4,000 are injured and at least 300 missing. The people of Myanmar, Asia’s poorest nation, are in desperate need of help.
The quake struck at lunchtime, toppling homes, businesses and temples in Mandalay near the epicentre. Heartbreaking scenes unfolded across the country, with 50 children dead at one preschool alone.
Hong Kong and mainland emergency crews have joined teams from Southeast Asia to help with rescue efforts.
Hopes of finding survivors under collapsed structures are growing dimmer now that the critical 72-hour mark, the “golden hours” before which rescue efforts are typically most effective, came and went on Monday.
The Hong Kong team of firefighters, police officers, doctors, nurses and search and rescue dogs were scouring through collapsed structures near Mandalay Palace.