Golden rescue window closing three days after quake kills over 1,700 in Myanmar, Thailand

Rescue teams are intensifying their efforts to find survivors more than three days after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, causing widespread destruction.

The quake has toppled buildings as far afield as the Thai capital, Bangkok, and triggered tremors across neighbouring regions in China, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The first 72 hours following a quake are considered the "golden" period for rescuing those trapped under debris, as chances of survival without access to water quickly diminish after this time.

At least 1,700 fatalities have been confirmed in Myanmar, making it the deadliest earthquake to hit the war-torn nation in over a century, according to local authorities. Experts warn that the true toll could take weeks to fully unfold.

The earthquake's epicentre was located in Myanmar's central Sagaing region, near Mandalay, a city of 1.5 million people.

Tremors from the quake were felt as far as Bangkok, where a building under construction collapsed, killing at least 18. 

Local officials have also confirmed extensive structural damage, including collapsed bridges and buildings in Myanmar, with many areas rendered inaccessible due to the destruction of key infrastructure. 

International rescue teams, including those from China, Russia, and the United States, have been deployed to assist in search and rescue operations.

Myanmar's military government, which has been embroiled in a civil conflict since the 2021 coup, issued a rare plea for foreign aid. The conflict had already strained Myanmar's infrastructure, complicating the response to the disaster.

The region's vulnerability to seismic activity, combined with poorly constructed buildings, has intensified the damage. The earthquake occurred along the Sagaing fault, and the shallow depth of the quake increased its destructive power. The energy released was equivalent to 334 atomic bombs, highlighting the immense force of the tremor. Experts warn that aftershocks could continue for months, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Aid efforts face significant challenges. Communication networks, already weakened by the ongoing civil war, have been further disrupted, while roads and bridges remain damaged, impeding the delivery of essential supplies. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and other organizations are working to provide emergency relief, including medical supplies and food, but access remains a key issue.

With millions already displaced by the ongoing conflict, the earthquake has added another layer of suffering to an already dire humanitarian situation. Experts emphasize the need for immediate international support, with humanitarian organizations urgently calling for donations to assist in the recovery and rebuilding process.

By Aghakazim Guliyev