At least 1,644 people have lost their lives in Myanmar following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake and the 6.4 aftershock that struck the country’s central region on Friday, according to the latest figures provided by local authorities.

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake shook Southeast Asia on Friday, March 28, causing widespread damage as it hit Myanmar with an epicenter near Mandalay, Myanmar 's second largest city, with tremors felt strongly across Thailand and also in China.

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocked Thailand and neighboring Myanmar midday on Friday, burying an unknown number when a high-rise building under construction collapsed.

A powerful earthquake killed more than 140 people in Myanmar on Friday, authorities said, toppling buildings and wrecking infrastructure across a wide area, including a skyscraper under construction in neighbouring Thailand.

At least 1,000 people have died in Myanmar after the 7.7 magnitude earthquake, felt by Thailand and other neighbouring countries.

The 7.7 magnitude quake hit midday Friday with an epicenter near Mandalay, bringing down scores of buildings and damaging other infrastructure like the city’s airport.

The United States, which has a testy relationship with the Myanmar military has said it would provide assistance.

A UN Special Rapporteur tells BBC it is "nothing short of incredible" that the military would "drop bombs when you are trying to rescue people".

The death toll from an earthquake in Myanmar passed 1,600 on Saturday as the military government declared a state of emergency and appealed for blood donations. The junta said 1,644 people had been killed and 3,