Earthquake kills more than 1,700 people in Myanmar; search and rescue operations continue

In Myanmar now. Rescue workers are continuing their search for survivors after a major earthquake with a death toll above 10-thousand expected.

WHO is responding with its highest level of emergency response.

Shin Ha-young reports.

The 7-point-7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, causing widespread damage.

According to Myanmar's military, the quake struck the country's central region on Friday, killing over 1-thousand-700 people and injuring more than 3-thousand-400 as of Sunday.

With a lack of equipment and personnel, rescuers have been working with their bare hands in an effort to find survivors.

"We were able to rescue a man aged around 24 from the rubble. It took us 24 hours for this operation to save this man. He had been stuck under the rubble for about 40 hours."

Damage has also been reported in neighboring Thailand, where authorities said at least 18 people had been killed and at least 78 missing, as search and rescue operations continue.

And with the death toll in the region rising quickly, the United States Geological Survey estimates a 71 percent probability that the number of fatalities will exceed 10-thousand.

In response to the earthquake, international organizations are emphasizing the need for urgent aid.

According to AFP, the World Health Organization on Sunday declared the earthquake a top-level emergency and urgently requested 8 million U.S. dollars to save lives and prevent disease outbreaks over the next 30 days.

Meanwhile, Myanmar's military junta is continuing airstrikes in the war-torn country with attacks on "insurgents" despite the earthquake.

According to the BBC, at least seven people were killed in a strike just hours after the earthquake on Friday, with further attacks taking place over the weekend.

The UN has called the attacks "completely outrageous and unacceptable."

Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.