After Earthquake, Myanmar Declares Seven Days of National Mourning

After Earthquake, Myanmar Declares Seven Days of National Mourning
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake shook the Sagaing region of Myanmar on Friday (3/28). (doc: AP News)

SEAToday.com, Jakarta - Myanmar has declared a seven-day national mourning period following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that shook the country on Monday (3/31).

The national flag will be flown at half-mast as part of the mourning period, state media MRTV reported.

The number of deaths from the earthquake that occurred on Friday (28/3) has exceeded 1,700. Meanwhile, a reported 3,400 people were injured and 300 others are still missing.

Myanmar's junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, has held telephone talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to discuss the impact of the disaster and rescue and relief efforts.

Russia, India, China, Thailand, UAE, UN, and many other countries have also sent specialized search and rescue teams in addition to humanitarian aid.