DEATH TOLL SURGES TO OVER 2,700 IN MYANMAR EARTHQUAKE

YANGON, April 1 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- The death toll from Friday's devastating earthquake in Myanmar has reached 2,719, with 4,521 people injured and 441 others still missing, the country's State Administration Council Chairman Min Aung Hlaing said, reported Xinhua, quoting local media reports.

He was speaking at a cash donation ceremony for quake victims held in Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday, according to the local media reports.

Meanwhile, in Mandalay, Chinese rescue teams are continuing to work in the hard-hit Mandalay in central Myanmar following the 7.9-magnitude temblor last week, and have so far saved eight survivors as of 08:00 local time on Tuesday in the country.

The China Search and Rescue Team saved four survivors, the Yunnan Rescue Medical Team rescued one survivor, and other civil emergency forces rescued three and assisted the China Search and Rescue Team.

To coordinate the Chinese rescue teams in Mandalay, a rescue work mechanism was established to enhance information sharing and joint logistics to ensure the quality and effectiveness of their rescue work.

Currently, the weather in Mandalay is hot, with the highest daytime temperature topping 40 degrees Celsius, and there are many mosquitoes at the work sites.

Meanwhile, experts from the Chinese Search and Rescue Team have completed the safety assessment of the damage to the four office buildings of the Chinese Consulate General in Mandalay, and offered proposals on emergency disposal.

--BERNAMA-XINHUA