Mandalay, Myanmar – Hopes of finding more survivors in the rubble of Mandalay are fading as rescue operations slow following Friday’s devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake, which has left more than 1,700 people dead in Myanmar and neighboring Thailand.

Thousands of residents spent a third night outdoors, either due to destroyed homes or fear of aftershocks, as relief efforts continue. The military junta has declared a week of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast across the country.

Rescue Efforts Slow Amid Communication Blackout

Rescue workers in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city with a population of 1.7 million, are struggling with the scale of destruction, worsened by communication blackouts in several regions. Officials warn that the true extent of the disaster may take days to fully uncover.

Hospitals have been overwhelmed, with Mandalay’s 1,000-bed general hospital evacuated due to structural concerns. Hundreds of injured patients are receiving treatment in parking lots, under makeshift tarpaulin shelters as temperatures soar to 40°C (104°F).

“This is a very, very imperfect condition for everyone,” said a medic who wished to remain anonymous. “We’re trying our best with the limited resources we have.”

The intense heat has also exhausted rescue workers and accelerated body decomposition, making identification efforts more difficult.

Aftershocks and Infrastructure Collapse Hamper Relief

The initial earthquake, followed by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock, has downed bridges and buckled roads, making it difficult to reach remote areas.

In Bangkok, Thailand, tremors from the quake caused a 30-story building under construction to collapse, killing at least 18 people and leaving dozens still missing under the rubble.

Despite the devastation, signs of normalcy are slowly returning to Mandalay. On Monday morning, street vendors reopened, and hundreds of Muslims gathered at a destroyed mosque for Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of Ramadan.

Myanmar’s Junta Calls for International Aid Amid Civil War

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the disaster a top-level emergency, seeking $8 million in immediate funding to prevent disease outbreaks and provide urgent medical care. Meanwhile, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched a $100 million emergency appeal to support relief efforts.

Myanmar’s military junta, which has historically resisted foreign aid, made a rare appeal for international assistance. Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun thanked China, Russia, and India for their swift support and assured that authorities were “doing their best” to provide relief.

“We are treating the injured and searching for the missing,” he stated.

However, despite the humanitarian crisis, reports have emerged that the military continues airstrikes against ethnic minority armed groups fighting the regime. On Sunday, seven fighters from an ethnic armed group were killed in an air raid, raising concerns that the conflict could further complicate disaster response efforts.

Crisis Deepens in War-Torn Nation

Myanmar was already struggling with civil war, triggered by the 2021 military coup, which has devastated the economy and displaced 3.5 million people. The earthquake adds another layer of crisis, with fears that the humanitarian response will be hampered by ongoing conflict.

In Bangkok, rescue teams continue clearing debris at the collapsed construction site, where officials remain hopeful of finding survivors. At least 76 people are still unaccounted for.

As Myanmar faces one of its worst disasters in recent history, aid agencies and emergency responders race against time to save lives and restore critical infrastructure.