People in Mandalay and Sagaing who are forced to sleep outdoors due to fears of aftershocks following the March 28 earthquake are now facing security threats from thieves and armed robbers, according to rescue workers in the area. Multiple homes have reportedly been burglarized, raising serious safety concerns among residents. The situation has become particularly concerning as people abandon their homes out of fear of building collapses from potential aftershocks.
On the evening of April 2, local residents in Mandalay mobilized to search for five masked men carrying weapons who were spotted moving along 89th Street between 38th and 41st Streets. The incident highlights the growing security challenges facing earthquake-affected communities. While many buildings have been damaged by the earthquake, even homes that remained structurally intact are being targeted by criminals as residents sleep outside due to aftershock concerns.
Both Mandalay and Sagaing are experiencing widespread power outages, leaving the cities in darkness during nighttime hours. Criminals are taking advantage of this situation to carry out robberies and break-ins. In Sagaing’s Zeyar Ward, residents report nightly attempted burglaries, forcing local youth to organize their own neighborhood security patrols. The military council’s police and security forces are notably absent during nighttime hours, with no regular patrols or security measures being implemented. This has left communities to fend for themselves in terms of security.
The March 28 earthquake has left both major cities resembling ruins, with the situation being compounded by deteriorating conditions including increasingly strong odors from decomposing bodies. While military council forces occasionally make security appearances during daylight hours, they are completely absent at night. Local residents note that whereas military personnel, police, and militia members used to conduct show-of-force patrols, they are now nowhere to be seen after dark. This has created a security vacuum where citizens must take responsibility for their own safety and protection. The absence of official security forces during nighttime hours has left earthquake-affected communities particularly vulnerable to criminal activities.
