Myanmar earthquake death toll climbs to more than 1000

UPDATED at 1:00 PM Yangon time

The death toll from a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday has continued to rise, reaching more than 1000 as rescue operations continue.

The earthquake, which struck around midday on Friday, was centred just west of Myanmar’s second-largest city Mandalay. Its impact has been felt in a number of major urban centres, including the capital Naypyitaw.

Initial reports put the number of dead at 144, but as the leader of Myanmar’s military junta, Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing, arrived in Mandalay early Saturday, revised figures were released putting the death toll at 1002, with 2,400 others injured.