Rescue teams have indicated that the death toll from the earthquake as of March 31 is likely to exceed the military council’s official count of over 1,700 casualties. While military council spokesperson Zaw Min Tun announced on the evening of March 30 that there were more than 1,700 deaths, over 3,400 injuries, and more than 300 people missing, ground reports suggest the actual number of fatalities could be significantly higher than these official figures.
According to rescue teams operating in Mandalay, they are transporting between 200 to 300 bodies daily, and maintaining accurate casualty counts has become extremely challenging. Rescue workers report that due to the decomposition of bodies, they must immediately transport them to cemeteries for cremation upon discovery. One rescue team member explained that the daily death toll remains in the hundreds, and only by combining records from various rescue organizations will it be possible to determine the true number of casualties. They emphasized that in Mandalay alone, hundreds of bodies have been cremated within the past three days.
In Sagaing, rescue workers have reported more than 160 deaths in the city alone, with expectations that this number could increase further. Rescue teams operating in the worst-affected areas are facing significant challenges in maintaining accurate death counts as they prioritize emergency rescue operations. The situation on the ground indicates that the actual impact of the earthquake may be far more severe than what is reflected in the military council’s official statements, with rescue teams continuing their efforts to save lives and recover victims amid challenging circumstances.
