HK rescuers, supplies arrive as quake toll continues to climb

Cheng Wong and agencies

A 51-strong search and rescue team dispatched by Hong Kong has arrived in Myanmar's capital, Naypyidaw, to aid in the aftermath of the 7.7-magnitude earthquake and deliver about nine tonnes of supplies to the region.

The government has also reserved HK$30 million from the Disaster Relief Fund for support.

In a video posted by the Security Bureau on social media yesterday, deputy chief fire officer of the Fire Services Department Cheu Yu-kok, who is also the team leader, said they will conduct reconnaissance and coordinate with teams from other countries to assess the situation in various regions.

The powerful earthquake hit the Sagaing region on Friday, causing tremors felt in neighboring Thailand and Yunnan province, resulting in significant casualties and damage to infrastructure.

The Hong Kong team was welcomed by Chinese diplomats and representatives from the Hong Kong Myanmar Chamber of Commerce.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said they brought approximately nine tonnes of supplies - including life detectors, satellite phones and drones - as well as two search dogs.

So far, around 1,700 people have been reported killed and more than 3,400 missing in Myanmar, many areas still to be reached.

Many rescue efforts so far have been undertaken by people working by hand to try and clear rubble, said Cara Bragg, the Yangon-based manager of Catholic Relief Services in Myanmar.

The Chinese embassy in Myanmar confirmed that 14 Chinese nationals were injured in the earthquake.

Hong Kong's Immigration Department said it received 57 inquiries regarding the latest situation in Myanmar as of 5pm yesterday.

Critical infrastructure - including bridges, highways, airports and railways - across the country of 55 million lay damaged, slowing humanitarian efforts, while a civil war that has battered the economy, displaced over 3.5 million people and debilitated the health system rages on.

The US Geological Service's predictive modeling estimated Myanmar's death toll could top 10,000 and losses could exceed the country's annual economic output.

An initial report on earthquake relief efforts issued by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned that hampering efforts are a "severe shortage of medical supplies, including trauma kits, blood bags, anesthetics, assistive devices, essential medicines, and tents for health workers."

India, China and Thailand are among Myanmar's neighbors that have sent relief materials and teams, along with aid and personnel from Malaysia, Singapore and Russia.

China said it has sent more than 135 rescue personnel and experts along with supplies like medical kits and generators and pledged around US$13.8 million (HK$107.64 million) in emergency aid.

Russia's emergencies ministry said it had flown in 120 rescuers and supplies to Yangon, and the health ministry said Moscow had sent a medical team.

In neighboring Thailand, the quake rocked much of the country, bringing down a high-rise building under construction in Bangkok, some 1,300 kilometers away from the epicenter.

So far, 10 people have been found dead at the construction site near the popular Chatuchak market, where 83 people are unaccounted for. A total of 17 people have been reported killed by the quake in Thailand so far.

cheng.wong@singtaonewscorp.com