Central Myanmar was hit by a 7.9-magnitude earthquake on Friday, and as of midday local time yesterday, it was reported that 1,700 people had been confirmed dead, about 3,400 injured and 300 missing – and in Macau, the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has maintained the travel alert for Thailand and Myanmar at Level 1, while the Macau Red Cross said on Saturday that it has made an emergency allocation of US$50,000 (400,615 patacas) through the Red Cross Society of China to support relief efforts in Myanmar.
According to a notice by the Myanmar Department of Meteorology and Hydrology yesterday, after a strong earthquake struck the central part of the country on Friday, a total of 25 aftershocks had been reported as of yesterday morning, with the highest aftershock having a magnitude of 7.5, while the lowest measured 2.8. The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar confirmed yesterday that at least 14 Chinese citizens were injured in the earthquake.
During the powerful earthquake in Myanmar, tremors were also felt in many parts of neighbouring Thailand. An unfinished 30-storey building in Bangkok collapsed as a result of the quake, resulting in at least 18 fatalities, 33 injuries, and 78 people reported missing.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a public event on Saturday, MGTO Maria Helenna de Senna Fernandes noted that as of noon on Saturday, the tourism office had received one request for assistance and seven enquiries. Among them, the assistance seeker was unable to return to Macau as his or her scheduled flights had been postponed to another day due to traffic disruptions following the earthquake, while the seven enquiries received were related to transport conditions in Thailand and Myanmar.
The tourism chief urged those planning to travel to or are currently in Myanmar and Thailand to monitor the situation closely and stay in safe areas. She noted that while calm is gradually returning to the two neighbouring countries, vehicular traffic and flights are still being affected, advising those planning to fly back to Macau to keep a close eye on flight changes and allow sufficient time for travel to the airport.
MGTO has issued the Level 1 travel alert for Thailand and Myanmar – and Senna Fernandes noted that MGTO, referencing travel alerts issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing and other entities, such as in Hong Kong, will continue to carefully assess the situation, while maintaining communication with the travel trade to provide further assistance in light of ongoing developments.
MGTO has urged residents who plan to travel to Myanmar and Thailand to carefully consider whether to proceed with their trips, adding that Macau residents in need can contact the following resources: 24-hour Tourism Hotline on +853 2833 3000; Chinese Embassy in Myanmar on +95 943209657; Chinese Embassy in Thailand on +662 2457010; Ministry of Foreign Affairs Global Emergency Call Centre for Consular Protection and Services on +86 10 12308; and MGTO representative in Thailand on +66 86 892 1665, available in English or Thai via WhatsApp or Line.
Meanwhile, the Macau Red Cross issued a statement on Saturday expressing deep concern over the serious casualties caused by the earthquake in central Myanmar, along with the collapse of many buildings, bridges, and infrastructures in the affected areas. The statement noted that in the first phase of its response, the Macau Red Cross has urgently allocated US$50,000 through the Red Cross Society of China to support relief efforts there.
The statement also quoted various Red Cross societies about their relief efforts in Myanmar, noting that the Red Cross Society of China has activated its emergency response mechanism and allocated US$200,000 in cash to assist the disaster-stricken areas in Myanmar. Additionally, the Myanmar Red Cross Society has fully activated its Emergency Operation Centre to engage in rescue and medical work, making every effort to search for missing persons and treat the injured.
The authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong have both sent rescue teams to Myanmar.
This photo taken on Saturday shows a post-quake rescue operation in Myanmar. – Photo: Xinhua
