Relief organizations have begun suspending body recovery operations in central Myanmar, including Mandalay and Sagaing regions, after the death toll from the earthquake reached 3,145 people. Following the earthquake that struck on March 28 in the afternoon, rescue operations commenced on March 29. By April 1, the focus shifted from rescue operations to body recovery, and as of April 4, aid groups have gradually been halting their efforts to retrieve bodies from the rubble. Property owners are now being left to handle the clearance of their collapsed buildings themselves.
A three-story building owner in Sagaing city reported that after inspection by firefighters and foreign teams, rescue operations were suspended as no survivors were expected to be found. When contacted about body recovery, the fire department cited being too busy to assist. While humanitarian groups have been contacted for help, their response is still pending. The owner mentioned that three family members, including two adults and one child, remain trapped in the building’s debris, with their bodies yet to be recovered. The owner requested anonymity due to fear of repercussions from Pyu Saw Htee and militia groups active in Sagaing city.
According to the military council’s report, the earthquake has resulted in 3,145 deaths, 4,589 injuries, and 221 people missing. In Mandalay, which suffered some of the worst damage, rescue operations are gradually ceasing, and property owners are being told to manage the clearance of their damaged buildings themselves. Local residents near Zay Cho market in Mandalay explained that clearing debris and demolishing damaged buildings costs between 5 million and 10 million kyats per house, making it financially impossible for many homeowners. Humanitarian groups have indicated they will now only assist in cases involving body recovery from the rubble.
