Rescue Efforts Difficult in Myanmar After Earthquake, Strong Smell of Corpse Fills the Air

Following the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, the death toll continues to rise due to challenges in rescue efforts. Eyewitnesses have revealed that beneath the collapsed buildings and rubble are bodies, with the scorching 40-degree Celsius temperature enveloping the city in a pervasive stench of death.

The epicenter of the earthquake was located 16 kilometers northwest of Sittwe in Myanmar, with a depth of 10 kilometers, causing over 80% of the city’s functionality to be paralyzed. Sittwe is situated in the northwest of Myanmar, connected to Mandalay by the Ava Bridge.

A survivor of the massive earthquake in Sittwe, using the pseudonym Yang Yao, shared on April 1st with Epoch Times that the daytime temperature in Sittwe hovers around 40 degrees Celsius. People buried under the debris, unable to be rescued, have succumbed to their fate, their bodies starting to decay and emit a putrid odor. “The number of deaths increases every day. Every time the phone rings, it’s always news of another person’s passing. Due to the lack of rescue facilities and the severe destruction of infrastructure, rescue operations have yet to be fully deployed. Highways are destroyed, bridges have collapsed, and the transportation network is paralyzed, making it impossible for rescue personnel to enter,” Yang Yao expressed.

Huang Ze, who resides in Mandalay, was in Sittwe at the time of the earthquake. Recounting the harrowing experience to Epoch Times, he said, “It’s horrifying! 80% of the buildings have collapsed. My friends and I were dining in a wooden structure restaurant when the earthquake struck suddenly. The ground was shaking, and we clung tightly to a big tree. Afterwards, we fled to the square where people were crying, bloodied scenes everywhere, and bodies being carried out. Motorcycles were transporting corpses or the severely injured… I was terrified and dared not approach.”

“Sittwe is the main battleground of Aung San Suu Kyi’s People’s Defense Force, and due to political complexities, there is currently no rescue operation in place. An hour after the earthquake, my friends and I drove away from Sittwe in a car we rented from Mandalay. Along the way, the splendid ancient buildings had mostly collapsed. It’s said that over two thousand large pagodas have fallen, roads are severed, the Ava Bridge has completely collapsed, the new bridge has sunken, forcing us to abandon the vehicle and board a ferry to escape to Mandalay,” Huang Ze continued.

He further mentioned that his jewelry models were in Sittwe, and a video sent on March 31st showed the scorching heat in Sittwe, with many seeking refuge in the Irrawaddy River, staying submerged all day. “Cholera and dysentery outbreaks have spread extensively post-disaster. Mandalay is now also affected. Looking at the surrounding ruins, it’s like a living hell on earth,” he added.

A volunteer in Sittwe, Li Jing, informed Epoch Times, “Following the earthquake, fires have broken out, leading to catastrophic devastation. The number of casualties is truly horrific, with deaths numbering staggeringly high and difficult to tally. It’s the fourth day since the quake hit, with the scorching 40-degree heat, bodies under the rubble, and the streets filled with the stench of death. Without official rescue teams, only spontaneously organized volunteers are working tirelessly. The disaster area urgently requires extensive disinfection and numerous volunteers.”

“Those who managed to escape are considered fortunate. Around 80% remain trapped, unable to be rescued due to the heavy building structures which are impossible to move without proper equipment. Many rescue attempts are futile. I don’t want to dwell on it too much, as everything that happened is profoundly shocking and unbearable. The death toll is alarmingly high,” Li Jing expressed.

Another volunteer involved in the rescue efforts in Mandalay, Liang Yong, shared with Epoch Times, “Numerous buildings have collapsed, trapping and crushing people underneath. Yesterday, even a temple monk was trapped and was only rescued in the evening. Friends from the old street wanted to donate money and goods, such as food, bottled water, clothing, and rescue equipment. As a result, we organized volunteer teams to Mandalay to participate in the rescue mission since Sittwe’s transportation links were severed, requiring us to travel by boat.”

Following the earthquake, various organizations and countries have mobilized to support and participate in rescue operations. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono announced on April 1st that they would dispatch an international emergency rescue team to assist the earthquake-affected residents in Myanmar. Japan is working on distributing sanitary supplies and water purifiers through the United Nations and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to provide humanitarian assistance wherever possible.

The Japanese government dispatched an international emergency rescue team comprising 32 professionals, including doctors and nurses, which arrived in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, on April 2nd. Their tasks involve treating the disaster victims and preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) assessment team arrived in the earthquake-stricken areas of Mandalay and southern Shan State in Myanmar on March 30th. Their evaluation work began on March 31st and includes experts in medical care, logistics, and water sanitation. Due to communication disruptions and ongoing armed conflicts in the region, access to certain affected areas is hindered, making it challenging to fully grasp the extent of the disaster and the medical needs.