02.04.2025 (12:01 PM)

A strong earthquake has killed 13 children who were taking a literacy class in Yamethin Township, Mandalay Region, when an ancient building collapsed.

The earthquake that struck on March 28th destroyed an ancient building in Yamethin Township, killing 13 children who were taking a literacy class. Of the 18 children who survived, 18 survived, according to Sayadaw Ashin Asinna of Thanhlutha Monastery in Thaekyun Village, Ywatan Township.

“Usually, more than 60 children attend the monastery. They were also distributing forms for the literacy test that day. The school is normally closed on Sabbath. That day, the forms were being distributed,” the Sayadaw said. The children who lost their lives were between the ages of 10 and 13, and some of the children who survived the collapse had to be rescued with difficulty.

“A little girl had only her head on her. When we were pulling her out, she said there were other children underneath. We couldn’t save those children. We couldn’t save the children because they had only their heads,” the monk said.

There were also children who were rescued during the incident, and funerals have been held for the children who lost their lives, the monk said. The parents of the children who lost their lives are being supported as much as possible, but they still need help.

“We are also supporting them as much as we can. I would like to ask the parents of the children who lost their lives to support them as much as possible,” the monk continued.