The death toll from the devastating earthquake that rocked Burma and Thailand on Friday has risen sharply to more than 1,650 victims. 

The epicenter of the earthquake was located in central Burma, where 1,644 fatalities have been confirmed, and nearly 140 individuals remain unaccounted for, as reported by the country’s ruling military on Saturday.

The 7.7 magnitude tremor toppled numerous structures and caused the destruction of bridges and highways in what has become the most lethal natural disaster to strike the impoverished, conflict-ridden nation in years. Burma is also referred to as Myanmar.

In Mandalay, Burma’s second-largest city, survivors used their bare hands on Friday in urgent attempts to rescue those still trapped, as they lacked heavy machinery and assistance from authorities. On Saturday, Burma’s military rulers permitted the entry of hundreds of foreign rescue personnel.

Rescue personnel work at the site of a building that collapsed, following a strong earthquake, in Mandalay, Burma on March 29, 2025.  (REUTERS/Stringer)

Photos and video from Burma showed two hard-hit cities with extensive damage. 

In Mandalay, Burma’s second-largest city and close to the epicenter, the earthquake damaged part of the former royal palace and buildings, according to videos and photos released on Facebook social media.

In the Sagaing region just southwest of Mandalay, a 90-year-old bridge collapsed, and some sections of the highway connecting Mandalay and the city of Yangon were also damaged.

In the capital Naypyitaw, the quake damaged religious shrines, sending parts toppling to the ground and some homes.

 Christina Shaw, Greg Norman, Bradford Betz Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.