Taiwanese Woman Trapped in Myanmar Hotel Collapse After Earthquake

MOFA Monitors Rescue Efforts Amidst Rising Travel Alert to Myanmar

Taipei, March 29 – A Taiwanese woman is still trapped in a collapsed hotel in Mandalay, Myanmar, following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck on Friday afternoon, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Her husband has been rescued.

MOFA reported that three Taiwanese citizens have been affected by the disaster. The trapped woman remains in contact with the outside world as rescue operations continue. Her husband, who was with her when the earthquake hit, was rescued with only minor injuries.

Another Taiwanese woman initially reported missing from a separate collapsed building in Mandalay has since been contacted and is confirmed safe, MOFA confirmed.

In response to the escalating safety concerns, MOFA has raised its travel alert for Myanmar to an "orange" level, the second-highest warning, urging Taiwanese citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to the country. Taiwan's travel warning system includes red, orange, yellow, and gray levels, with "red" indicating the most severe situation.

Meanwhile, the travel advisory for Thailand remains at the yellow level, advising travelers to exercise caution and review their plans.

Myanmar has issued a call for international assistance as the death toll from the earthquake surpasses 1,000 people. While China and India have deployed rescue personnel and provided essential supplies, the international response is still developing. The military junta in Myanmar has historically been hesitant to accept international aid after disasters.

Taiwan's representative offices in Myanmar and Thailand, where a building under construction also collapsed, have offered the two countries the assistance of rescue teams. These teams are ready for immediate deployment to provide disaster relief.

According to MOFA, the governments of Myanmar and Thailand are currently assessing their respective infrastructure and logistical capabilities before responding to Taiwan's offer of aid. The National Fire Agency has announced that over 100 rescue personnel, including medical professionals and six rescue dogs, are on standby, ready to deploy at any moment.