Under pressure from Beijing, rebels left the capital of Shan State, northern Myanmar, although they will remain around the city. Meas fighting continues in the rest of the country, other rebel groups won some victories yesterday and today. Citing the earthquake, the regime suspends tourist visas.

A health worker talks to AsiaNews about fleeing her village in Mandalay due to airstrikes by junta planes that continued after the earthquake. Only last night, the military announced a 20-day ceasefire in the most affected areas to facilitate aid. But few people trust their words.

Archbishop Marco Tin Win released a message reporting the destruction of the diocesan house in Mandalay forcing the priests to sleep outdoors together with others. Despite calls for a stop to the hostilities, the military junta continues to attack resistance forces, but has admitted that it also hit a group of Chinese rescuers.

Some rural areas have been as badly affected as cities. Almost 100 people have reportedly died and 3,000 homes destroyed in a well-known tourist destination. Residents were already hard at work recovering from the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi in September 2024. While the main ethnic militias have joined a ceasefire proposal, many fear the military junta will hold up aid.

Travel remains difficult with people still gripped by fear after Friday’s devastating quake in the country’s central regions. In addition to the aftershocks, people face ongoing military operations. “It's like shooting a wounded person,” said Sister Valentina Pozzi, the mother superior of the institute founded by Fr Carlo Salerio, which today has 380 local members. “It is a miracle that there were no victims among the sisters we were able to contact,” she told AsiaNews.

A humanitarian worker talked to AsiaNews about the devastation caused by the earthquake. People are sleeping outdoors terrified by hundreds of aftershocks. A Salesian clergyman in Anisakan talks about the situation, while the military junta continues to attack rebel areas. Mud and polluted water risk causing more damage.