Sagaing: The Malaysian Special Search and Rescue Team (SMART) has successfully rescued eight earthquake victims in Myanmar’s Sagaing district, marking the fifth day of ongoing search and rescue (SAR) operations in the region.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) released a statement indicating that the focus of the team’s efforts today was the site of a collapsed school, where more victims are believed to be trapped. The selection of this particular worksite for the MAS-01 team was made by the Local Disaster Management Authority (LEMA) due to the complex nature of the collapse, necessitating the deployment of advanced equipment by the team.

The statement further detailed that among the victims retrieved, three men, three women, and a child were found deceased, while one adult male was rescued alive. NADMA also reported that all 50 officers and personnel assigned to the mission are in good condition, though some have experienced minor symptoms from the hot weather, such as hoarseness.

The rescue efforts are a collaborative endeavor with local teams, emphasizing high cultural awareness and respect for local customs by the MAS-01 team to prevent conflicts between domestic and international teams. The earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 7.7 on the Richter scale, struck Myanmar last Friday, severely affecting areas including Mandalay, Bago, Magway, northeastern Shan state, Sagaing, and Naypyidaw, as well as neighboring Thailand.

All SMART officers and personnel arrived safely at Naypyidaw International Airport aboard two Royal Malaysian Air Force A400M aircraft last Sunday. From there, the team traveled 270 kilometers by road to Sagaing district to commence their search and rescue operations.