Myanmar announces 3-week temporary ceasefire amid earthquake relief efforts

In Myanmar.

The death toll from the country's devastating earthquake continues to mount with the latest count showing over three thousand losses of lives as a temporary ceasefire seeks to advance the search for loved ones and to ensure relief support.

Lee Seung-jae has more.

In a bid to speed up relief and reconstruction efforts following last week's magnitude 7-point-7 earthquake that struck Myanmar, the military government on Wednesday announced a temporary ceasefire.

In a statement, the State Administration Council announced the ceasefire from April 2nd to April 22nd.

However, according to local media MRTV, the military junta warned that if rebel groups attack, the military will take necessary measures.

Earlier this week, the rebel Three Brotherhood Alliance, which consists of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army and the Arakan Army, announced a unilateral ceasefire to support quake response for one month.

However,.. the military government had refused to do the same until Wednesday's announcement.

Since the military junta's coup in 2021, Myanmar has been marred by violence amid a civil war between the military government and ethnic militias and resistance forces.

As the country continues recovery and relief efforts, a hotel worker who had been buried under the rubble in Naypyidaw was rescued after 108 hours.

The 26-year-old hotel employee was found alive by a rescue team, covered in dust, but conscious.

He was immediately transported to the hospital for medical treatment.

Local media says the death toll from the devastating earthquake has now surpassed three thousand.

Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.