Death toll from Myanmar earthquake rises as junta reaffirms plans to hold election
Death toll from 7.7 magnitude earthquake rises to 3,649 in Myanmar, 22 in neighboring Thailand
ISTANBUL
The death toll from last month’s powerful earthquake in Myanmar rose on Wednesday to 3,649, just after electoral authorities reaffirmed plans for national elections late this year or early next year.
The 7.7 magnitude quake on March 28 also injured 5,018 people with 145 still missing, according to Xinhua News.
Meanwhile, the death toll in neighboring Thailand from an under-construction skyscraper brought down by the same quake has risen to 22 with 72 still missing, according to The Bangkok Post.
The Myanmar junta's Union Election Commission on Tuesday also reiterated plans to hold elections in December or January, according to The Irrawaddy, a news website run by Myanmar exiles in Thailand.
The commission urged people wanting to form political parties to file applications by May 9.
Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing had said last month that the country would hold elections this December or next January.
