Myanmar earthquake: Student fears for family and friends after Myanmar earthquake as death toll rises to over 1,600

A student from Myanmar living in Glasgow has voiced fears for his friends and family following the earthquake which devastated the country yesterday.

Htuu Lou Rae says a major international aid operation will be needed to help those affected as the death toll reaches over 1,600 people.

Rescue efforts are under way especially in the major stricken cities of Mandalay and Naypyitaw, the capital.

Psychology student Htuu, 37, has had contact from his mother in Rangoon telling him family there are safe, but he fears for other loved ones living across the country.

He told STV News: “I tried to call my mum today, but she told me her phone battery was running low. You can’t fully charge a phone in Rangoon as they’re only supplying four hours of electricity, and that’s not enough, especially when using the phone for contacting relatives and for rescue efforts.

“I haven’t spoken to many I worked closely with. I feel deeply worried and concerned for their safety.”

A total of 1,644 people have so far been confirmed dead following the 7.7 magnitude quake, with tremors reaching as far as Thailand and China.

Rescuers continue to search for hundreds of people thought trapped under buildings and debris following yesterday’s earthquake.

The earthquake struck at midday on Friday with an epicentre not far from Mandalay, Myanmar’s second biggest city, sending buildings in many areas toppling to the ground and causing widespread damage.

The earthquake shook neighbouring Thailand, killing six people and injuring 26 at three construction sites, including one where a partially built high-rise collapsed in Bangkok.

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At least 144 people were killed in Myanmar, where photos and video from two hard-hit cities showed extensive damage.

Myanmar has appealed for international aid in the wake of the natural disaster. A number of countries including China, Hong Kong and India have so far sent rescuers, rescue dogs and supplies.

“My family had to stop driving because their vehicles were shaking from side to side – Motorbikes were falling down, bouncing like plastic toys,” Htuu said.

“You can’t park on the side of the road because utility towers and trees could fall down.

“People who managed to escape the rubble are sleeping in tents and mosquito nets in the streets because they fear aftershocks, which could bring the buildings down.

“It reminds me of how Londoners slept in the underground during the Blitz.”

A state of emergency has been declared in six regions and states in Myanmar by the military-run government.

Myanmar is in the throes of a prolonged and bloody civil war, which is already responsible for a massive humanitarian crisis.

As the country struggles to deal with such devastation, the UN has condemned air strikes in Myanmar which have continued amid the ongoing troubles of the war-torn country.

“There’s an overwhelming sense of dread and danger coming from all directions,” Htuu said. “There’s a phrase being shared over there – ‘I don’t know what it’s like to be in heaven, but now I know what it’s like to live in hell.

“The only adjective I can think of for people living in Myanmar is ‘Lovecraftian.'”

Htuu said rescue teams in the country are “underfunded and under-resourced” and that many buildings in Myanmar are not properly built to withstand earthquakes.

He also echoed fears that humanitarian aid could be “misappropriated” by the regime and not reach people in need.

“The death toll is higher than it should be compared with other countries with better preparedness. Disaster awareness and preparation is not widespread.

“The regime is calling on international humanitarian aid, but many fear it will not reach the people in most need.

“People have asked me to ensure that the aid is handed over to volunteer teams and non-profit organisations who are in touch with people on the ground – not the regime.”

The United Nations’ emergency relief coordinator has made an initial allocation of five million dollars (£3.86m) for recovery efforts in the area as the international body works to recover from massive US funding cuts to the region.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said UN staff were working to gather information on the number of people impacted, damage to infrastructure and the scope of the humanitarian needs.

“The earthquake will compound an already dire humanitarian situation in Myanmar, where nearly 20 million people need assistance across the country, including more than 3.5 million people displaced from their homes.”