Myanmar observes minute of silence for 2.000 earthquake victims

Myanmar observed a minute of silence today to honor the more than 2.000 people killed in the recent devastating earthquake that destroyed numerous buildings and infrastructure in the country, Agence France-Presse journalists report.

Sirens sounded at 12.51:7.7 p.m., when a magnitude XNUMX earthquake was recorded four days earlier, with its epicenter near Mandalay, the second largest city.

Four days after the earthquake, many citizens are still living outdoors, lacking shelter, while aftershocks continue, raising fears of new devastation.

The military junta declared seven days of national mourning starting Monday, during which flags will be flown at half-mast as a sign of sympathy for the human losses and damage caused.

Military authorities called on citizens to stop their activities, during a minute of silence, while the media broadcast symbols of mourning instead of the usual programs, and prayers will be offered in temples.

Authorities announced last night that 2.056 people had died, 3.900 were injured and 270 were missing, but experts expect the death toll to rise as the earthquake hit the most populated areas of the country and information from various regions is difficult to come by.

The ongoing civil war in Myanmar has weakened vital infrastructure and fragmented the country, where dozens of armed groups of ethnic minorities and political opponents are active, further complicating information gathering.

More than 1.000 foreign rescue workers have arrived in Myanmar as part of an international mobilization to help local services deal with the crisis.

Rescue operations pulled about 650 people from the rubble, according to media from the ruling military junta.

Myanmar has been hit by a civil war that has weakened vital infrastructure.