Myanmar's junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing, said on Friday that at least 144 people died and 1,464 were injured in Myanmar, while five more were killed in Thailand in the wake of the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that hit the region earlier today.
"I declared a state of emergency in all affected areas and opened a path for international support," Hlaing said, noting that the death toll is expected to rise. "I recently agreed and accepted an offer from the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance and India to send aid tomorrow. I call on any countries, any organization and the public in Myanmar to support us," he added, calling for people to donate blood in the affected areas, particularly in Sagaing, Mandalay and Naypyitaw.
Several European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, already offered support to the countries affected by the earthquake.
