Mandalay, Myanmar — One week after the powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit Mandalay, Myanmar, the death toll from the incident has risen to over 3,000.
Reports from the government revealed that as of April 3, there have been 3,145 confirmed deaths from the tragedy, which is still expected to rise while the search and rescue operations remain ongoing.
The total number of deaths, as well as the casualties remains undetermined as bodies are still being retrieved from buildings that collapsed from the earthquake.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimated over 17 million individuals affected by the tragedy, with over 9 million severely affected.
Following the tragedy, the military-led government of Myanmar declared an unilateral and temporary ceasefire on the country’s civil war to prioritize response to the impacts of the earthquake.
The ceasefire started on April 2 and will last until the 22nd in aim of speeding the rescue efforts on the incident.
Meanwhile, several countries have extended help and assistance to Myanmar following the tragedy.
Reports said that there are now over 1,550 international rescuers in Myanmar helping out on the search and rescue operations, while 17 countries sent additional rescue supplies and equipment.
The government of Myanmar continues its operations to rescue potential survivors and retrieve bodies that may have succumbed to the tragedy.