The Thakyadhita Buddhist Nunnery in Sagaing has officially announced that nine people, including the chief abbess, were killed when the building collapsed due to an earthquake that struck on March 28. The casualties included one chief abbess, two teaching supervisors, three junior teaching monks, and three donor sisters of the monastery. The devastating incident has significantly impacted the religious institution and the local community.
While two senior nuns, Daw Pawana Theri and Daw Kusalawati, sustained severe injuries in the incident, they are reported to be in stable condition and currently receiving medical treatment. Their injuries, though serious, are not considered life-threatening. The earthquake’s impact caused extensive structural damage to the nunnery’s facilities, with the Jambudipa Library and the Khine Yin Nayaka residential building completely collapsing. Additionally, two Buddha statues were damaged, and eight other buildings within the compound suffered significant structural damage.
Officials from the nunnery have confirmed that all the affected buildings are now in a hazardous condition and deemed unsafe for occupancy. This incident represents one of the significant consequences of the powerful earthquake that struck central Myanmar, causing substantial damage to both civilian populations and religious structures in the region. The destruction of these historical and religious buildings has created a significant void in the community’s religious infrastructure and educational facilities, affecting both the resident religious community and their educational activities.
