At 4:45 PM local time today (April 2), after a 13-hour journey, we finally arrived in Mandalay, the city hardest hit by the recent earthquake in Myanmar.
As we entered the city, we encountered a group of disaster victims by the roadside. They were living in makeshift conditions; some had simple tents, while others were crammed into tricycles with their families, and some had only a mat to sleep on. Since the earthquake struck, they have been displaced, and this situation continues to this day.
Recalling the events of the earthquake day, the victims stated that the first tremor lasted about 5 minutes, with subsequent shocks becoming progressively weaker. After midnight last night and into this morning, there were still aftershocks. Some showed us videos they had taken on their phones during and after the earthquake, revealing their homes in disarray, with belongings scattered across the floor, ultimately resulting in the collapse of their houses. One victim shared that both of their parents lost their lives in the earthquake.
Among the victims, many children curiously greeted us, smiling despite the circumstances. Their smiles helped ease the pervasive sadness in Mandalay.
As we ventured deeper into the city, we observed more damaged buildings along the streets. Some were leaning precariously, others had completely turned to rubble, and some were unrecognizable, appearing as mere piles of sand and stones. However, the number of collapsed buildings was not as high as expected, but many showed cracks and distortions, posing potential collapse risks. Perhaps for this reason, people were forced to stay by the roadside, far from these damaged structures.
Soon after, we arrived at the Yunnan Guild Hall in Mandalay, which has become a local disaster relief center after the earthquake. After a brief rest, we learned that a rescue point nearby had discovered a survivor. We set out once again toward the first rescue site.
(Reported by Alan Mak/Jack Wang; English editor: Darius)
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