Sixteen members of the Blue Sky Rescue Team, a Chinese civil relief squad, set off from a land port in Ruili city, Yunnan province, on Saturday morning, heading for Myanmar to assist with quake relief efforts.

YANGON -- A Chinese rescue team arrived at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar on Saturday afternoon to assist in disaster relief efforts following a devastating earthquake.

The rescue team, sent by the Chinese government at the request of the Myanmar government, departed from Beijing on Saturday morning.

A total of 82 rescuers were dispatched, along with rescue equipment and supplies.

A 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday. The information team of Myanmar's State Administration Council said 1,002 people have been killed, 2,376 were injured, and 30 remained missing.

All member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) stand ready to back up relief and recovery of Myanmar and Thailand from Friday's strong earthquake, said a joint statement of ASEAN foreign ministers, which also extended their deepest sympathies and condolences to the people of both countries.

Myanmar and Thailand were hit hard by the strongest quake in decades that struck central Myanmar. As of Saturday morning, a total of 694 people were killed, 1,670 injured and 68 missing in Mandalay region of Myanmar, the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council reported. About a dozen people have perished in the quake in Thailand, and more are missing.

The statement released on the association's official website on Saturday reaffirms ASEAN solidarity with the families and communities affected by the earthquake and its impact.

"ASEAN further recognizes the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and ASEAN stands ready to support relief and recovery efforts, including through the deployment of the ASEAN Emergency Response and Assessment Team, the utilization of the Disaster Emergency Logistics System for ASEAN, and the support of the Urban Search and Rescue, based on priorities identified by Myanmar and Thailand," said the statement.

The foreign ministers also emphasized that ASEAN affirms its solidarity and will work closely to coordinate humanitarian assistance, support and facilitate relief operations, and ensure timely and effective humanitarian response, with the assistance of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management.

Late Friday, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya delivered messages of condolences to Paetongtarn Shinawatra, prime minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, following the earthquake damage in Thailand.

They also extended the Japanese government's deepest sympathies to those who have been affected and said they pray for the swift recovery of those affected as well as the early restoration of the disaster-stricken areas.

A Chinese rescue team of about 40 professionals arrived in Myanmar early Saturday, and more rescuers from China are on the way.

Jinag Xueqing in Tokyo contributed to this report.

The Red Cross Society of China said on Saturday that it has sent emergency relief supplies and dispatched its international rescue team to support rescue and recovery efforts in Myanmar, which was hit by a 7.9-magnitude earthquake around midday Friday.

The first batch of relief supplies include 300 tents, 2,000 blankets, 600 folding beds and relief family kits that can meet demands of 2,000 affected families. They were sent from the organization's disaster relief facility in Southwest China's Yunan province that borders Myanmar.

The organization's international rescue group has also set off for Myanmar to carry out humanitarian aid and rescue missions.

The Red Cross Society of China said it will continue to monitor disaster relief needs in Myanmar and provide humanitarian assistance as needed.

BEIJING -- China has decided to provide Myanmar with 100 million yuan (approximately $13.9 million) in emergency humanitarian aid to support earthquake relief efforts, a spokesperson for the China International Development Cooperation Agency said on Saturday.

At the request of the Myanmar government, China will also send two rescue teams and supply tents, blankets, first-aid kits, food and drinking water -- items that are urgently needed in affected areas, said spokesperson Li Ming.

The first batch of supplies is scheduled for delivery on Monday, according to the agency. China will offer further assistance based on Myanmar's needs, it added.

A 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday. The information team of Myanmar's State Administration Council said 1,002 people have been killed, 2,376 were injured, and 30 remain missing.

BANGKOK -- Nine people were dead, nine injured and 101 others remained missing in the capital Bangkok, Thai authorities said on Saturday after a powerful earthquake struck Myanmar, sending strong tremors across Thailand.

According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), emergency disaster areas have been declared in Bangkok and two other provinces, with authorities conducting structural safety assessments and damage surveys across the affected regions.

Phasakorn Boonyalak, director general of the DDPM, said 14 provinces have reported damage following the earthquake that rocked central Myanmar on Friday afternoon.

Tremors were felt in 57 provinces, particularly in Bangkok, prompting mass evacuations from office buildings, residential complexes, and convention centers as people gathered on the streets and in parks as temporary shelters.

The earthquake disrupted multiple subway and skytrain services in Bangkok, bringing traffic to a standstill. Most train services resumed normal operations by Saturday morning.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said during a meeting for earthquake disaster updates and relief measures on Saturday that the earthquake situation has stabilized, with aftershock intensity gradually weakening.

KUNMING -- The homes of 847 households in Ruili city, Southwest China's Yunnan province that borders Myanmar, were damaged in a massive earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday.

As of Saturday noon, a total of 2,840 people in the city, which is about 300 km from the epicenter, have been affected, according to sources from the Ruili municipal government.

Following the quake, local governments have deployed task forces for disaster relief, monitoring geological hazards, inspecting water conservancy projects, repairing electrical facilities, and carrying out emergency road maintenance.

Two people sustained minor injuries in the quake and have received medical treatment. The city government is currently assessing the extent of the losses suffered by local residents.

Water, electricity, transportation and communication in Ruili have returned to normal.

So far the devastating quake has killed 1,002 people, injured 2,376 and left 30 missing in Myanmar.

BEIJING -- The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) extended its heartfelt sympathies to those affected by the strong earthquake in Myanmar through a message of support on Friday.

The association also conveyed its condolences to the members of the bereaved families in its message to the Myanmar-China Friendship Association.

Highlighting the geographical proximity and the deep bond between the two countries, the CPAFFC said that the Chinese people are deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of their friends in Myanmar, and share their pain and sorrow.

The CPAFFC said it is ready to work with the Myanmar-China Friendship Association to help with relief efforts. It also conveyed hope that those affected will overcome the disaster, rebuild their homes, and return to normal life as soon as possible.

A 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar at 2:20 pm Friday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center. The information team of Myanmar's State Administration Council said on Saturday that so far, 1,002 people have been killed, 2,376 injured, and 30 remain missing.

Established in Beijing in 1954, the CPAFFC is a non-governmental body dedicated to enhancing friendly exchanges between China and the rest of the world.

KUNMING -- Southwest China's Yunnan province has sent tents, blankets and folding beds to Myanmar on Saturday morning, after a massive earthquake jolted the Southeast Asian country on Friday.

The first batch of 80 tents and 290 blankets was sent to Myanmar via air at around 6:30 am from the provincial capital Kunming. Preparation and transportation efforts for additional relief supplies are still underway, according to the Yunnan Food and Strategic Reserves Bureau.

Earlier on Saturday, a 37-member rescue team from Yunnan province arrived in Myanmar, while a group of 16 Chinese volunteers also set out for the quake-hit areas to assist in disaster relief and rescue efforts.

So far the devastating quake has killed 1,002 people, injured 2,376 and left 30 missing in Myanmar, according to the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council.

KUNMING -- A group of 16 Chinese volunteers set off for the quake-hit Myanmar on Saturday morning to provide assistance in disaster relief and rescue efforts.

The volunteers, all experienced members of the Blue Sky Rescue team — a Chinese civil relief squad — departed from Ruili city in Southwest China's Yunnan province, which borders Myanmar, at around 9:30 am.

Equipped with emergency relief supplies, including first aid kits, power generation and lighting facilities, and demolition tools, they traveled in a convoy of five vehicles.

"We are the first team and will be followed by a second and a third team," said Gao Hengyi, head of the Ruili branch of BSR.

They followed a 37-member rescue team sent by Yunnan province, which arrived in Myanmar earlier on Saturday morning.

At the request of Myanmar, China dispatched a search and rescue team to the earthquake-stricken areas on Saturday morning to carry out international rescue operations.

According to the Ministry of Emergency Management, the rescue team has already departed from Beijing on a chartered Air China flight heading to the disaster areas.

On Friday, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, resulting in significant casualties and property damage.

Xinhua News Agency, citing SAC information team, reported that as of Saturday, 1,002 people have died, 2,376 have been injured, and many are missing across all affected regions in the country.

According to a news release from the Ministry of Emergency Management, the Chinese rescue team consists of 82 members.

They are equipped with rescue gear and materials to make every effort to assist Myanmar in emergency rescue and relief efforts, it said.

YANGON -- The devastating earthquake in Myanmar has claimed 1,002 lives, left 2,376 injured, and 30 people reported missing, according to the Information Team of the country's State Administration Council (SAC) in a report at around 11:20 am local time Saturday.

Rescue and relief efforts are currently underway in the earthquake-affected regions of Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, Bago, the northeastern part of Shan State and Nay Pyi Taw, the report said.

SAC chairman Min Aung Hlaing emphasized the urgency of swift rescue efforts, ensuring the injured are promptly transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.

He also stressed the importance of addressing safety concerns by clearing buildings damaged by the quake and providing essential services such as water, food and accommodations for the victims, it added.

A 7.7-magnitude quake struck approximately 20 km northeast of Mandalay at 12:51 pm local time on Friday. The epicenter, with a depth of 10 km, was at 22.09 degrees north latitude and 96.23 degrees east longitude.

Related: Chinese rescue team arrives at Myanmar after strong tremors

A rescue team from Southwest China's Yunnan province arrived at Yangon, Myanmar, early Saturday after a massive earthquake jolted the Southeast Asian country on Friday.

Mu Shuyuan, team leader, talked about the challenges his team would face before departing for the quake-hit country.

Live updates: 7.9-magnitude quake hits Myanmar

BEIJING -- President Xi Jinping on Saturday extended condolences to Myanmar's leader Min Aung Hlaing over the massive earthquake that hit the country on Friday.

In a message, Xi said he was shocked to learn of the strong earthquake in Myanmar, which caused heavy casualties and property losses.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi mourned the deaths and extended sincere condolences to the bereaved families, the injured and the people affected by the disaster.

China and Myanmar are a community of shared future sharing weal and woe, and the two peoples enjoy a profound fraternal friendship, said Xi.

China is ready to provide assistance, and support efforts to overcome the disaster and rebuild homes at an early date, he said.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Saturday also extended condolences to Min Aung Hlaing over the earthquake.

MANDALAY, Myanmar -- A total of 694 people were killed, 1,670 injured and 68 missing in a deadly earthquake in Mandalay region of Myanmar as of Saturday morning, the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council reported.

A rescue team from Southwest China's Yunnan province arrived at Yangon, Myanmar, early Saturday after a massive earthquake jolted the Southeast Asian country on Friday.

At least 144 people were killed and 732 injured in Myanmar after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake jolted the country on Friday.

Myanmar's State Administration Council Chairman, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, called for assistance from the international community, according to local reports.

At 6:30 am on Saturday, a rescue and medical team of 37 members departed from the Changshui International Airport in Kunming, Yunnan province, for the earthquake-stricken area in Myanmar.

They carried a large amount of emergency search and rescue equipment and relief supplies such as full-function life detectors, earthquake early warning systems, portable satellites and drones, Xinhua News Agency reported.

A powerful earthquake, which was monitored at 21.85 degrees north latitude and 95.95 degrees east longitude, rocked central Myanmar on Friday.

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the earthquake struck at a depth of 30 kilometers and reached 7.9 magnitude.

MANDALAY, Myanmar -- Myanmar's Department of Meteorology and Hydrology said Saturday morning that 12 aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging from 2.8 to 7.5, occurred on Friday following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake at 12:51 pm local time on Friday.

At 6:30 am on Saturday, a rescue and medical team of 37 members departed from the Changshui International Airport in Kunming, Yunnan province, for the earthquake-stricken area in Myanmar.

They carried a large amount of emergency search and rescue equipment and relief supplies such as full-function life detectors, earthquake early warning systems, portable satellites and drones, Xinhua News Agency reported.

A powerful earthquake, which was monitored at 21.85 degrees north latitude and 95.95 degrees east longitude, rocked central Myanmar on Friday.

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the earthquake struck at a depth of 30 kilometers and reached 7.9 magnitude.

Southwest China's Yunnan province experienced strong tremors as a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar at a depth of 30 kilometers at 2:20 pm on Friday.

According to the China Earthquake Administration, strong tremors were felt in Yunnan's Dehong, Lincang, Baoshan, Xishuangbanna, Lijiang and Dali, while Chuxiong and Kunming experienced noticeable shaking.

In the aftermath of the earthquake, a video clip showing the damage to a tall building of the Fortune Mall in Ruili of Yunnan's Dehong Dai and Jingpo autonomous prefecture garnered significant attention on social media platforms.

"I felt a mild shake first, so I went out of the building to the street. Then, a strong shake was felt and I can see the building was shaking too," Ge Zhaolan, 45, a merchant at the shopping mall, told China Daily.

He said the rooftop water tank on the 30th floor was broken, leading to a substantial spilling of water.

"I was hit by the water too, but it was not as terrifying as the video showed," he recalled.

Another merchant told Nanfang Metropolis Daily that during the incident, a female employee at her shop witnessed another employee at a nearby bubble tea store being struck on the head by falling debris, resulting in a head injury and profuse bleeding.

The injured individual was swiftly transported and given medical attention, she said.

Footage from surveillance cameras provided by the merchant depicted a scene where a torrent of water cascaded down, knocking down several individuals.

"Basically, all occupants were able to evacuate unharmed," she said.

According to the China Earthquake Administration, the earthquake's epicenter was approximately 294 kilometers from the nearest Chinese border and about 310 km from the city hall of Ruili.

The administration immediately activated its emergency response mechanism. The authorities organized rolling consultations to assess the situation and rushed a team from the Yunnan Earthquake Agency to Ruili to assist local authorities in emergency response efforts.

Ruili's information office told CCTV News on Friday afternoon that only two individuals sustained minor injuries at the Fortune Mall and were promptly taken to a hospital for treatment. There have been no reported casualties, although several old buildings suffered damage. The city has maintained order with normal traffic and communication.

According to the National Fire and Rescue Administration, after the earthquake, fire and rescue teams in Yunnan quickly assembled and prepared. Four teams were dispatched, and several other teams stayed prepared for deployment and reinforcement.

As of 3:30 pm, local transportation, roads, telecommunication and internet services were normal, and relevant information was tracked and verified.

Contact the writers at liyingqing@chinadaily.com.cn

For Rajiamuchan Burgin, a resident of Thailand's capital city, the earthquake on Friday afternoon was the "severest earthquake (that I experienced) since I was born".

Rajiamuchan was driving her car in downtown Bangkok and was stuck in a traffic jam when she felt the tremors.

"My car was shaking while the road signs also swung from left to right. My mind went blind and I was frozen at the moment," she said.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra put the capital city of Bangkok under a state of emergency following a strong earthquake in Myanmar that shook countries in the region, including China and Thailand.

Apart from Bangkok, tremors were also felt in the northern Thailand provinces including Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar at midday Friday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand announced "the immediate suspension of all trading activities" for the afternoon session. Trading was also suspended at Thailand's Market for Alternative Investment and the Thailand Futures Exchange.

Transportation was disrupted with the Bangkok Mass Transit System suspending operations on the Sukhumvit Line while the Air Traffic Control issued a nationwide no-fly order for all airports in Thailand.

Later in the afternoon, the Airports of Thailand Public Company announced that six airports under its management, including those in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, have resumed normal operations as of 2:30 pm.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has declared the Thai capital a Level 2 disaster zone. He ordered the setting up of an earthquake response command center, chaired the emergency meeting and instructed all districts and hospitals to assess damages.

Authorities issued nationwide alerts, advised the public via SMS and media and mobilized security forces. Airports, hospitals, and transport were on standby.

Thailand's police and military were evacuating people from unsafe buildings, aiding victims and managing traffic. Police hospitals were on standby for emergencies.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai visited the collapsed construction site in the district of Chatuchak in Bangkok where three fatalities have been confirmed, according to a report by online newspaper The Nation.

Phumtham identified two major collapse sites: the 34-story Budget Bureau building in Chatuchak and a three-story building in Bang Khun Thian, Bangkok's southernmost district.

When Rajiamuchan rolled down her car window to talk with a driver nearby, she said: "We just felt hard to believe. And it was really scary as we were all afraid of the possibility that the road may fall apart, but feel helpless because we could do nothing about it. I could only pray that it won't happen with another hit."

This reporter of China Daily in Bangkok personally experienced the sudden and intense shaking on Friday. It continued for a few seconds, paused briefly, and then resumed for another ten or more seconds.

Running out to a nearby parking lot, this reporter found streetlights on an elevated expressway, which was about 100 meters away from her, shaking violently.

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in its latest report that the Meteorological Department and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation are closely monitoring the situation and have warned of possible aftershocks. The Thai Meteorological Department will provide updates through its Facebook account.

Government agencies have likewise issued respective directives to manage the situation. The Ministry of Education has ordered the closure of schools nationwide, the Ministry of Public Health is establishing emergency response centers and the Ministry of Interior has instructed provincial governors to activate command centers.

Contact the writers at yangwanli@chinadaily.com.cn