On Tuesday, Myanmar will observe a minute of silence in remembrance of the victims of a devastating earthquake that has destroyed buildings as far away as Bangkok and killed over 2,000 people.
Many people in Myanmar are still sleeping outside four days after the shallow 7.7-magnitude earthquake occurred because they are either scared of more aftershocks or are unable to return to their destroyed homes.
To honor those who perished, the nation will come to a complete halt at 12:51:02 (0621 GMT), the exact moment the earthquake occurred on Friday.
The ruling junta has asked the population to pause at that time, and said media should halt broadcasting and display mourning symbols, while prayers will be offered at temples and pagodas.
Flags will fly at half-mast on government buildings until April 6 “in sympathy for the loss of life and damages” as part of a week-long national mourning that the junta has announced.
On Monday, the junta announced that 2,056 individuals had been officially declared dead, while over 3,900 were injured and 270 were remained unaccounted for. In neighboring Thailand, at least 19 people lost their lives.
However, as rescuers arrive in cities and villages where the earthquake has cut off communications, the death toll is predicted to increase dramatically.
