RUSSIAN, BANGLADESH RESCUERS TO ASSIST IN SEARCH, RESCUE OPS IN MYANMAR – REPORTS

BANGKOK, March 30 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) - Russian rescuers have arrived in Myanmar to assist in search and rescue operations after the deadly earthquake, according to Sputnik/RIA Novosti, citing a Myanmar state-run TV channel MRTV report on Sunday.

MRTV showed a footage of two Russian Emergencies Ministry planes arriving in Myanmar. Rescue teams from China, India, Singapore and Thailand have reportedly also arrived in the country.

Foreign search-and-rescue teams will work in the most devastated areas, including in the city of Mandalay, MRTV reported.

On Saturday, Myanmar authorities said that the quake had damaged underground oil pipelines, and oil tankers had been arriving to the country’s shores to ease fuel shortages. Power lines had also been cut.

Meanwhile, Xinhua reported that a Bangladesh Armed Forces rescue team will depart for Myanmar on a special flight Sunday to support earthquake relief and rescue efforts.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of the Bangladesh Armed Forces made the announcement in a media statement here on Saturday, mentioning the team will leave for Myanmar on Sunday.

It said that the Bangladesh Armed Forces will provide emergency medicine, relief supplies, rescue operations, and medical aid to the country.

Earlier that day, an official alert issued by the Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate said that Bangladesh could experience tremors of similar intensity that recently struck Myanmar and Thailand, particularly in high-risk zones, including Chattogram, Sylhet, Mymensingh, and Dhaka.

The fire service urged the authorities concerned and the public to take proactive measures to mitigate earthquake risks.

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday. A total of 1,644 people died, 3,408 were injured, and 139 remained missing, according to the Information Team of the State Administration Council on Saturday night.

-- BERNAMA-AGENCIES