According to local residents, 15 people, including children, have died due to the powerful earthquake that struck Pyay Township in Bago Region on March 28, and rescue operations are still ongoing. The earthquake caused extensive damage to homes and buildings in both Pyay town and surrounding villages in the township, resulting in casualties and injuries among civilians.
Among the deceased are Ma Phyo Phyo Lin (age 49), Ma Thein Htay (age 59), Ma Ei Mi Nyein (age 33), Ko Win Naung (age 31), Maung Kaung Khan Kyaw (age 11), Ma Phyo Thida Oo (age 9), Ma May Mi Ko (age 28), U Than Tun Aung (age 63), Daw Moe Moe Nwe (age 63), and Ma Wai Nwe Htun (age 37) from Pyay town. Other victims include Ma Ei Mi Ko Ko (age 8) from Inn Pin Tha village, Ko Kyaw Win Sein (age 48) from Nat Laung village, Maung Zin Min Htet (age 17) and Daw Sein Moh Moh (age 30) from Gway Pin Myaung village, and Daw Khin Moe Wa (age 49) from Zeya Waddy town.
The earthquake caused significant structural damage in Pyay town, including the collapse of the fire department water tower, municipal housing water tower, the facade of an old cinema, Kambawza Store, Shwe Taung building facade, brick walls, and the back wall of Kanyut Kwin Pagoda. Additionally, in the township’s rural areas, 41 houses in Kan Mon Chaung village, 28 houses in Nat Laung village, 5 houses in Ma U Pin village, and 4 houses in Thet Cha Seik village were destroyed. Three inter-village bridges were also damaged according to local residents.
Currently, rescue operations are continuing, with the situation in urban areas becoming more stable while self-organized rescue efforts persist in rural areas. In territories controlled by the People’s Defense Force (PDF), revolutionary forces and local civilians are working together to conduct rescue operations. The earthquake has highlighted the resilience of local communities in organizing relief efforts despite the challenging circumstances in the region.
