Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, Mar. 29: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama has issued a statement expressing profound sadness over the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, which has claimed, according to Myanmar’s military junta, over 1,000 lives and left thousands injured.
“I offer my condolences to the families of those who have lost loved ones and pray for all those in Myanmar and neighbouring countries such as Thailand who have been affected by this tragedy,” the Dalai Lama stated from Dharamshala, India.
The 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, causing extensive damage across a wide area. At least 1,002 people were killed and nearly 2,376 injured in Myanmar’s Mandalay region – the country’s second-largest city and close to the epicentre of the quake. The earthquake, which the United States Geological Survey reported was at a depth of 10 kilometres, was followed by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock.
The destruction extended into neighbouring Thailand, where at least six people died in Bangkok after a high-rise building under construction collapsed. Buildings throughout the Thai capital were reported to have shaken during the earthquake.
The Nobel Peace laureate acknowledged ongoing relief efforts, noting, “It is heartening to know that in addition to UN agencies, countries such as India are sending humanitarian aid to help the relief efforts in the quake zones.”
India delivered 15 tonnes of relief materials to Myanmar under its ‘Operation Brahma’. India sent the relief materials to the Myanmarese city of Yangon in a C130J military transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force.
As a gesture of solidarity with those affected, His Holiness has directed the Gaden Phodrang Foundation of the Dalai Lama to make a donation toward rescue and relief operations through appropriate channels.
