A devastating earthquake that struck at 12:52 PM on March 28 has caused the collapse of three mosques in Baungtaw village, Amarapura Township, Mandalay Region, resulting in over 700 deaths according to local residents. The collapsed structures include the Yatkantaw North Mosque, Central Mosque, and Thaypayachan Mosque, which were filled with worshippers at the time of the disaster. Rescue operations are ongoing as teams continue to search for victims beneath the rubble, with urgent assistance required for the recovery efforts.
Baungtaw village, home to more than 10,000 residents, has been severely impacted by the earthquake. Survivors have been temporarily relocated to makeshift shelters in the village football field, where there is an urgent need for drinking water, food supplies, and medical assistance. The recovered bodies are being buried in mass graves, with five bodies per grave, due to the overwhelming number of casualties. Local residents report that decomposition has begun to set in, creating an urgent need to expedite the recovery and burial process.
The rescue operations require heavy machinery, manpower, and equipment to continue the search and recovery efforts. Those wishing to provide assistance can access the village directly via the Myitngae-Sagaing road through Thungayetaw and Letpanzin areas. While the Sagaing-Mandalay trade route is blocked up to the railway line, aid workers and volunteers can coordinate their efforts through designated contact numbers. The most pressing needs for earthquake victims currently include drinking water, food supplies, medical provisions, and shelter materials. Local residents emphasize that the situation remains critical and requires immediate humanitarian assistance to support the affected population.
