Death toll from Myanmar quake rises to at least 1,002, with 2,376 injured

The dead toll from Myanmar's devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake surpassed 1,002 on Saturday, as additional bodies were recovered from the wreckage of the hundreds of buildings that collapsed when it struck near the country's second-largest city.

According to a statement from the country's military-led administration, 1,002 people have been found dead, 2,376 wounded, and 30 are still missing. The statement hinted that the numbers might potentially grow, stating that "detailed figures are still being collected."

“Infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings were affected, leading to casualties and injuries among civilians. Search and rescue operations are currently being carried out in the affected areas,” the junta said in a statement issued on state media.

According to Bangkok municipal officials, six people have died, 26 have been injured, and 47 are still missing, the most of them are from a construction site near the capital's famed Chatuchak market.

When the earthquake struck, the 33-story high-rise being built by a Chinese business for the Thai government wobbled before collapsing in a tremendous plume of dust, sending people screaming and fleeing the scene.

On Saturday, more heavy equipment was brought in to clear the piles of rubble, but friends and family members of the missing began to lose faith that they would be discovered.

Mandalay was hit particularly hard. Mandalay, Myanmar's second most populous city with around 1.5 million inhabitants, is the closest major city to the epicenter of Friday's 7.7-magnitude earthquake, and considerable damage has been recorded.

Myanmar's junta commander visited Mandalay on Saturday to survey the damage caused by Friday's earthquake, according to state media.

A 37-strong Chinese team arrived in Yangon, Myanmar's old capital, early Saturday, bearing medication and technology to identify signs of life, according to a Facebook post from the Chinese embassy.

According to TASS, Russia is sending 120 skilled rescuers, physicians, and search dogs.

President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he had talked with authorities in Myanmar and that his government will provide some help.