Rescuers in Myanmar and Thailand race to find survivors as earthquake death toll soars

Lisa Desjardins:

Good evening. I'm Lisa Desjardins. John Yang is away. Myanmar's ruling military government now says over 1,600 people have been killed by a devastating earthquake as more bodies are being pulled from the rubble. The epicenter of the 7.7 magnitude quake was near Mandalay, Myanmar's second largest city, and it rocked neighboring countries, including Thailand.

Temples in Myanmar's capital, Nipan Da, were crumbled to their foundation just southwest of Mandalay. Some buildings and bridges partially collapsed, others completely destroyed. While there have been some miracle rescues from the debris, it's been an uphill battle. Debi Edwardof Independent Television News has the latest from Bangkok, Thailand.

Debi Edward, Independent Television News (voice-over):

They keep shouting into the remains of the Wisdom Villa High School, asking if anyone is there, but no response comes back. It's thought at least seven people were in the building when the earthquake struck.

All over Myanmar, there are frantic searches taking place for survivors. In Mandalay, close to the epicenter, rescuers search through the wreckage of this apartment building by hand. Several teams have come to help this search. So far, they've recovered more bodies than survivors. Without specialist equipment, it is difficult to free victims trapped between the layers of debris.

Man:

It doesn't seem like there's a building that's not affected in some way, but obviously to see this and that there are some other buildings that are also like this is just hideous.

Debi Edward (voice-over):

The 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit on Friday lunchtime and was felt across the region. This was a maternity ward in southern China where a nurse held on to the baby in her arms for dear life as she was tossed around on the ground by the powerful tremors.

In Bangkok, the focus of the aftermath centers on a skyscraper under construction that collapsed. The families of the dozens still trapped inside have gathered at the site. Just seeing it was distressing, for this family.

Pa (ph) been trying to call her boyfriend, who was working on the 28th floor. She says his phone was ringing yesterday, but now it doesn't connect. As the search enters its second night, rescuers are still hopeful of finding people alive.

Debi Edward:

The building stood at 34 stories high and in the space of just three seconds it was reduced to a seven story pile of rubble. We've been told that in several places the concrete hadn't set yet and that will have contributed to its complete collapse.

Debi Edward:

So many families are tonight sharing the same agonizing weight that this man is facing for news of his mother. Debi Edward, ITV News, Bangkok.