Rescue operations are underway in the major stricken cities of Mandalay, the country’s No. 2 city, and Naypyitaw, the capital.

A powerful earthquake killed more than 140 people in Myanmar on Friday, authorities said, toppling buildings and wrecking infrastructure across a wide area, including a skyscraper under construction in neighbouring Thailand.

At least 1,000 people have died in Myanmar after the 7.7 magnitude earthquake, felt by Thailand and other neighbouring countries.

Rescuers are desperately searching for survivors more than two days after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, toppling buildings as far away as the Thai capital Bangkok and sending tremors through nearby Chinese provinces.

The United States, which has a testy relationship with the Myanmar military has said it would provide assistance.

A UN Special Rapporteur tells BBC it is "nothing short of incredible" that the military would "drop bombs when you are trying to rescue people".

The death toll from an earthquake in Myanmar passed 1,600 on Saturday as the military government declared a state of emergency and appealed for blood donations. The junta said 1,644 people had been killed and 3,