Myanmar earthquake death toll exceeds 1,600, could reach 10,000

The death toll from the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that rattled Myanmar has risen to 1,644.

Death tolls from the quake on Friday were pegged at 144 people, with 730 injured persons.

In a statement on Saturday, Myanmar’s ruling military confirmed the increase as more bodies were pulled from the rubble.

The quake toppled buildings in many areas, split roads, caused bridges to collapse, and burst a dam.

The disaster was also the first 7.0-magnitude or greater earthquake in Myanmar since 1991.

In 2023 Turkey recorded an earthquake of similar magnitude and reportedly killed more than 50,000 people.

In Saturday’s statement, the ruling junta said the number of injured increased to 3,408, while the missing figure rose to 139.

Neighboring Thailand was also struck by tremors from the quake.

Bangkok city authorities said the number of confirmed dead is now 10, while 78 people were still unaccounted for.

The US geological survey estimated the death toll in Myanmar could surpass 10,000.

The agency’s predictive model has also estimated that economic losses due to the earthquake may top the country’s annual economic output.