Devastation in Myanmar: how the earthquake has left some areas almost completely destroyed | World News

Even with thousands of dead and entire neighborhoods, the ruling military junta in Myanmar retained its long -term ban on international journalists entering the country.

There is a lack of guaranteed safety that can be provided to foreign media to report on the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquake that shook the Southeastern Asian country on Friday.

It may also be because it still strives for its campaign against rebels in the midst of the destruction.

Thus, open source information of satellite images and social media is an important tool. The picture is incomplete, but gives a little feeling of the true scale of damage due to the earthquake.

Mandalay, the second city of Myanmar and just 20 km of the epicenter, was hit especially hard. The largest monastery in the city boasted a bell tower, now completely flat.

Sky’s data and forensic unit analyzed the destruction based on a combination of videos like this and satellite images.

This is not an extensive picture of the destruction. For many areas, we do not yet have satellite images available – for example, the city of sagaing. But we have verified videos on social media that give an idea of ​​the situation there: buildings overturned, flattened pagodas and even a collapsed bridge.

The country’s military rulers issued a rare call for help after the disaster. Their allies – Russia, India and China – were some of the first to take into account the call.

On Saturday, a Russian plane registered with the Ministry of Emergency Situations (Emercom) arrived in Mawlamyine, South Myanmar, of Moscow.

Emercom said it also flew 120 rescue workers and supplies to Yangon, in the south of the country.

In Mandalay, Russian and Chinese emergency workers worked together on attempts to save civilians trapped under rubble, according to a position on the official telegram channel for Emercom.

China said it sent more than 135 rescue staff and promised about $ 13.8m (£ 10.7m) to first aid. Chinese President Xi Jinping expanded his condolences to military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing.

Other countries have also promised money, including the US, the EU and the UK.

But many are concerned if help will be spread fairly.

Morgan Michaels, research fellow of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), has through history used the denial of help access as a counter-uprising tactic. “So there is a guarantee that the military in this current crisis can block the help to the affected areas.”

About 265 groups in Myanmar signed a statement requesting that help to civil society, the national unity government and ethnic resistance organizations should be addressed, rather than the Junta.

Khin Ohmar, spokesman for the signatories of the statement, is concerned about help that does not reach areas such as sagaing, which was at the epicenter of the earthquake.

She told Sky News: “International rescue assistance does not reach people to be saved, and the junta holds areas, including sagaing, where people are the worst affected.”

With an ongoing civil war and poor infrastructure, Myanmar was already one of the most challenging places in the world for helping organizations to work.

Some of the heaviest battles concentrated in the areas by the earthquake, including sagaing and mandalay.

Rebel groups in Myanmar who oppose the junta asked a two -week break to help with assistance and rescue efforts, saying that they would only take defensive steps.

But these calls did not stop the violence.

‘There were about 11 air strikes [on Sunday]’Mr. Michaels told Sky News. ‘ One of these air strikes took place in Nancho, which is in Shahn State.

“We already know that this is the place of a great constant struggle. It looks more or less like a continuation of the battle with either side and uses the tools they used throughout. “

The Data and forensics Team is a multiple unit dedicated to providing transparent journalism from Sky News. We collect, analyze and visualize data to tell data-driven stories. We combine traditional reporting skills with advanced analysis of satellite imagery, social media and other Open Source information. Through the multimedia storytelling, we want to explain the world better, while also showing how our journalism is done.