India Sends Humanitarian Aid to Earthquake-Stricken Myanmar

India has dispatched a humanitarian aid flight to Myanmar, following a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck the country on Friday, causing extensive destruction.

Myanmar’s junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing, issued a rare appeal for international assistance, underscoring the scale of the disaster that has so far claimed at least 694 lives and injured 1,670 people. Historically, Myanmar’s military regimes have been reluctant to accept foreign aid, even in the aftermath of major natural disasters.

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar confirmed the relief effort, stating that a C-130 military transport aircraft had been sent, carrying hygiene kits, blankets, food supplies, and other essential relief materials.

“A search and rescue team, along with a medical team, is also on board,” Jaishankar said, assuring that India would continue monitoring the situation and provide further assistance as needed.

The minister shared images on social media showing members of India’s National Disaster Response Force loading supplies onto the aircraft before departure.

The powerful earthquake caused widespread destruction across Myanmar, toppling buildings, collapsing bridges, and damaging roads. The second-largest city, Mandalay, was among the hardest-hit areas.

According to U.S. geological experts, this is the most powerful earthquake to strike Myanmar in over a century. The tremors were so intense that they caused structural damage to buildings in Bangkok, located hundreds of kilometers from the quake’s epicenter.