Myanmar's earthquake death toll jumps to nearly 700

Vartha Bharati | 29-03-2025 | 10:18:00 IST

A Buddhist monk walks near a damaged building at a monastery compound after an earthquake | PC: PTI

Bangkok, Mar 29 (AP): The death toll from a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar has jumped to nearly 700, according to the government.

State-run television MRTV reported that 694 people have now been found dead and another 1,670 injured, according to a statement from the military-led government. The same figures were also reported by the independent news site The Irrawaddy.

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

Myanmar is in the throes of a prolonged and bloody civil war, which is already responsible for a massive humanitarian crisis. It makes movement around the country both difficult and dangerous, complicating relief efforts.

The head of Myanmar's military government, Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing, said in a rare television broadcast Friday that the death toll was expected to rise as he reported an initial 144 people found dead.

The earthquake also shook neighboring Thailand, killing six people and injuring 22 at three construction sites, including one where a partially built high-rise collapsed.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.

PBKS win toss, opt to bowl against LSG

01-04-2025 ¦ 01-04-2025 IST

Image Courtesy: X/ @CrickettChat

Lucknow (PTI): Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl against Lucknow Super Giants in an Indian Premier League match here on Tuesday.

LSG remained unchanged, while PBKS made one change handing Lockie Ferguson his debut for the side.

Teams:

Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Suryansh Shedge, Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh.

Lucknow Super Giants: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (capt & wk), Ayush Badoni, Digvesh Rathi, David Miller, Abdul Samad, Avesh Khan, Shardul Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi.