Myanmar Earthquake: Estimated Death Toll Reaches 10,000

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay in Myanmar and shook neighboring Thailand, according to CNN. It was the largest earthquake to hit Myanmar in more than a century.

The US Geological Survey estimates the death toll could be as high as 10,000.

It could take years for some hard-hit areas to rebuild after the 7.7-magnitude earthquake, said Dr. Kyi Minn, director of a national humanitarian organization in Myanmar.

Heads of other aid agencies said they were facing challenges getting resources to those affected by the quake. It was also difficult to get reliable information about problems affecting Myanmar, where the military frequently cuts off communications in conflict zones.

An interactive map on the US Geological Survey website shows at least 14 aftershocks have occurred in Myanmar since the 7.7 magnitude earthquake on March 28.

Most aftershocks—which occurred in the hours after the major earthquake—were between magnitudes 3 and 5. The strongest aftershock, a magnitude 6.7, occurred about 10 minutes after the major earthquake.

The two quakes – a magnitude 4.9 and a magnitude 6.7 – struck about 60 kilometers from Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, which suffered significant damage. The other quakes spread north and south from the main quake, forming a straight line.

In addition to Myanmar and Thailand, the earthquake's tremors were felt as far away as China's Yunnan and Guangxi provinces and Vietnam's Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The United Nations Children's Fund said relief teams on the ground were preparing to deliver humanitarian assistance following the earthquake.

“UNICEF is deeply concerned about the devastating impact of today's earthquake in Myanmar on children and families,” the agency said, noting the damage in Thailand.

UNICEF said its teams on the ground were assessing the impact and preparing humanitarian assistance.