Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Rises To 1,644, Satellite Image Shows Uprooted Control Tower At Airport—Updates

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar has claimed 1,644 lives, destroyed infrastructure, and collapsed the air traffic control tower at Naypyitaw International Airport, halting operations.

The images taken on Saturday show the air traffic control tower at Naypyitaw International Airport sheared from its base with the debris scattered around its remains. Image: @RealMiBaWi

Source : Twitter

In the quake-hit Myanmar, the death toll has risen to 1644 with more than 3400 injured. The earthquake that struck near Mandalay on Friday caused widespread destruction, collapsing buildings and infrastructure.

According to news agency AP, the satellite imaged from Planet Labs PBC has revealed that the earthquake has toppled the air traffic control tower at Naypyitaw International Airport. The images taken on Saturday show the tower sheared from its base with the debris scattered around its remains. The collapse has brought the traffic operations to a halt, as all the radar and electronic systems were routed through the tower.

#Myanmar #earthquake > A satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC shows a collapsed air traffic control tower at the Naypyidaw International Airport on Saturday, after an earthquake struck in Naypyidaw. All six airport employees in the tower have died ... pic.twitter.com/VWH35NQ7xf

— MIBAWI (Michael Barthel) (@RealMiBaWi) March 29, 2025

“A satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC shows a collapsed air traffic control tower at the Naypyidaw International Airport on Saturday, after an earthquake struck in Naypyidaw. All six airport employees in the tower have died …,” posted MIBAWI on X.

On Saturday, India has dispatched two naval ships to the neighbouring country while a field hospital is slated to be airlifted later on Saturday. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a briefing here also said that two more Indian naval ships would follow under this humanitarian assistance operation.

Besides the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) personnel and material being sent via aircraft, a field hospital with 118 members is expected to leave from Agra later on Saturday, he said. India's ambassador in Myanmar is currently in the capital Nay Pyi Taw to coordinate the relief efforts, the MEA spokesperson said, adding that no casualty has been reported so far among the Indian community in Myanmar.

The MEA also added that India has actively been playing the role of first responder in such situations during national disasters and natural calamities. He also recalled the relief and assistance provided by India last year in the wake of Cyclone Yagi hitting Myanmar.