Rescue efforts continue following Myanmar earthquake; national mourning period declared

Myanmar has declared a period of national mourning this week as the frantic search for survivors of its devastating earthquake continues.

Park Kun-woo has more.

The landscape in Myanmar is marked by devastation with toppled temples and buildings.

Rescue teams have been working around the clock for more than three days, desperately searching for more survivors beneath the rubble, hoping to save at least one more.

The 7-point-7 magnitude earthquake that struck near Mandalay -Myanmar's second largest city - last Friday, has already claimed over 2-thousand lives, with nearly four thousand injured according to the country's military government.

But the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that the final death toll could exceed 10-thousand.

In response to a rare plea for help from Myanmar's military junta, international rescue teams from neighboring countries, including China and several Southeast Asian countries, have arrived on the scene.

But as the first 72 hours -the "golden" period for rescue - have passed, and with scorching temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, the chances of survival are diminishing rapidly.

"The survival ability of the trapped people is getting weaker and weaker. The temperature is very high, making our rescue more and more difficult."

The U.S. also promised both monetary and rescue support for Myanmar on Monday.

"The United States will provide up to $2 million through Burma-based humanitarian assistance organizations. A U.S. aid team of humanitarian experts based in the region are traveling to Burma now to identify the people's most pressing needs."

Other countries, including South Korea, the UK, and Australia have also announced millions of dollars in aid.

Amid the rescue efforts, the military junta declared a week-long national mourning period until Sunday with flags flown at half-mast.

Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.