Top Malaysian, Thai diplomats visit quake-hit Myanmar
Foreign ministers will meet Myanmar junta leader, likely to see affected areas
ISTANBUL
The top diplomats of Malaysia and Thailand began on Saturday a day-long visit to quake-hit Myanmar as part of an ASEAN response to the disaster and show solidarity with people of the Southeast nation, according to state-run media.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan and his Thai counterpart Maris Sangiampongsa will meet Myanmar’s junta leader Min Aung Hlaing and Foreign Minister Than Shwe, Bernama news agency reported.
The two are also expected to visit the affected areas and meet families of the victims.
More than 3,000 people are confirmed dead after the 7.7 and 6.4 magnitude earthquakes on March 28, and the UN estimates that up to 3 million may have been affected in some way. Many have been left without shelter after their homes were destroyed.
A number of nations have sent aid and rescue teams.
The latest death toll stands at 3,145, with 4,589 injured and 221 missing, according to Myanmar state media. In Bangkok, 22 people were killed, most of them crushed when a tower block under construction collapsed during the tremors.
*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid
Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.
