The death toll from the devastating earthquake has risen to more than 1,600, according to Myanmar state television.
The death toll now stands at 1,644, a significant increase from the 1,002 deaths announced just hours earlier, highlighting the difficulty of verifying casualties in a vast area and the real possibility that the death toll could rise further after Friday's magnitude 7.7 earthquake.
The number of victims reached 3,408, and the number of people listed as missing rose to 139.
Rescue operations are continuing in earnest, particularly in the major affected cities of Mandalay and Naypyitaw.
Although teams and equipment have been sent from other countries, their efforts are being hampered by damage to airports in these cities, which appear unable to receive aircraft.
The military government has declared a state of emergency in six regions and states of Myanmar.
The country is facing a protracted and bloody civil war, which has already led to a serious humanitarian crisis.
This makes movement around the country difficult and dangerous, complicating aid efforts and raising fears that the death toll could rise sharply.
The quake struck at midday on Friday, with its epicentre near Mandalay, the country's second-largest city, causing buildings to collapse in many areas and widespread damage.
The quake also hit neighbouring Thailand, where six people were killed and 26 injured at three construction sites, including one where a partially built high-rise collapsed in Bangkok.
Authorities said on Saturday that 47 more people were missing.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt expressed hope that there might be survivors among the rubble. Search efforts continued on Saturday morning.
Most of Bangkok's metro and light rail services resumed normal service on Saturday morning, but two light rail lines remained closed pending further inspection, operators said.
The earthquake reportedly caused damage to several buildings in Mandalay, including the Ma Soe Yan Monastery.
According to videos and photos posted on social media, the earthquake damaged part of the former royal courtyard.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
