Myanmar Earthquake LIVE Updates: Death Toll Rises To 694, Over 1,600 Injured

Over 650 people were killed, while more than 1,600 were injured, after two massive earthquakes rocked Myanmar and its neighbouring Thailand on Friday afternoon. Besides claiming lives, the earthquakes also took down several buildings, bridges, and a monastery.

The 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck at midday, with an epicentre near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city. Aftershocks followed, one of them measuring as strong as 6.4 magnitude on the Richter scale.

The Myanmar government said that blood was in high demand in the areas that suffered the most destruction. The junta government also sought international aid in the wake of the earthquake. The United Nations allocated USD 5 million to start relief efforts.