Death Toll from Burma Quake Rises to 26: Aid Group

Posted November 13th, 2012 at 10:20 am (UTC-5)
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The death toll from a strong earthquake that struck northern Burma Sunday has risen to 26, more than twice as many as last reported.

Red Cross officials said Tuesday that 230 people were injured and 12 others still missing as a result of the 6.8-magnitude quake that struck near Burma's second biggest city, Mandalay.

Several strong aftershocks have rattled the southeast Asian nation. On Tuesday, a 4.8-magnitude tremor shook the administrative capital, Naypyidaw, but there were no reports of injuries or damage.

The original quake caused severe damage to the area surrounding Mandalay, destroying hundreds of homes and forcing many residents to take shelter in tents amid fears that buildings may collapse.

But aid agencies said the situation is under control, and there will likely be no need for foreign assistance to deal with the quake, which hit in a relatively undeveloped region.

The disaster comes just days before President Barack Obama makes the first ever visit by a U.S. head-of-state to Burma, which is emerging from decades of harsh military rule.