Death Toll Rising in Myanmar (aka Burma) After 6.8 Magnitude Earthquake (News Brief)
(HN, March 25, 2011) --- Burmese officials say the death toll from Thursday's 6.8 magnitude earthquake is now up to at least 74, with at least 111 injured.
The U.N. reports six aftershocks have been felt since the earthquake first struck and the risk of landslides remains high.
The quake struck in northeastern Myanmar (aka Burma) near the border with Thailand. The epicenter was about 90 kilometers north of the Thai city of Chaing Rai, which sustained minor damage. U.S. experts say the quake was just 10 kilometers deep.
State-run radio broadcasts quote Burmese officials as saying at least 390 homes, 14 monasteries and nine government buildings were destroyed in the areas near the epicenter of the quake.
One woman in Thailand was killed when a wall of her house collapsed on her.
Aid agency World Vision says it is working closely with Myanmar's government to provide emergency assistance to those affected by the 6.8 magnitude earthquake near the Golden Triangle.
Chris Herink, World Vision country director for Myanmar, told Radio Australia's Asia Pacific it had received immediate cooperation from authorities within the military-led regime when it offered assistance.