Myanmar earthquake: Aftershocks loom large as rescue operation continues in a race against time
PTC News Desk: The rescue operation is being carried out in a race against time to locate the survivors after the death toll from 7.7 magnitude earthquake reached 1,644, with at least 17 more killed in neighbouring Thailand.
Meanwhile India also on boarded to facilitate relief and rescue efforts in the quake torn country under its banner 'Operation Brahma'. On Saturday, the country deployed two naval ships and began the deployment of an army field hospital with 118 medical personnel to provide immediate assistance to the injured.
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal announced on Friday that two Indian naval ships carrying relief materials are en route to Myanmar, with two additional ships set to follow. The first ship, loaded with 10 tonnes of relief supplies, departed early Saturday morning, followed by the second ship in the afternoon. Both vessels are expected to reach Yangon by March 31.
Two more aircraft carrying search and rescue teams have left for Myanmar, along with two additional aircraft transporting members of a 118-member army field hospital unit. This specialized medical team, part of the Indian Army's Shatrujeet Brigade Medical Responders and led by Lieutenant Colonel Jagneet Gill, will offer advanced medical and surgical care. They will set up a 60-bed Medical Treatment Centre in Mandalay to manage trauma cases, conduct emergency surgeries, and address general medical needs.
Amid the devastation, Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government (NUG) announced a unilateral partial ceasefire of the ongoing civil war in the country to facilitate relief efforts.
- With inputs from agencies
