Myanmar earth quake death toll rises sharply to 1002, more than 2000 injured

The increase in known deaths, which previously had been 694 according to the military government, was reported as International aid began to arrive in the Southeast Asian nation and as rescuers searched for survivors.

According to the sources 2,376 people were injured and 30 were missing in the wake of the disaster.

“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.

The junta leader, General Min Aung Hlaing, had warned on Friday of more deaths and injuries as he invited “any country” to provide help and donations.

A Chinese rescue team arrived on Saturday while Russia and the U.S. offered aid in the disaster, which struck at lunchtime on Friday and damaged hundreds of buildings in neighboring Thailand.

Susan Hough, a scientist in the USGS’s Earthquake Hazards Program, told Reuters it was difficult to predict an earthquake’s death toll, for various reasons including timing.