In Myanmar, monks and nuns pay a heavy price

There's growing anger at the military’s failure to help earthquake victims.

Apr 9, 2025 - 23:00
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In Myanmar, monks and nuns pay a heavy price

SAGAING, Myanmar — One of the oldest monasteries in Mandalay was flattened after central Myanmar’s devastating 7.7 earthquake

Thirty-nine were killed when the 117-year-old Ma Soe Yein Monastery collapsed. Twelve buildings on site crumbled.

Video: In Myanmar, monks and nuns pay a heavy price

The majority of those killed were inside a dormitory in the middle of an exam.

In the northern city of Sagaing, residents say lives have been lost due to the slow response to the quake.

A two-story residential nunnery in the city collapsed, killing 14 nuns and injured many others.

“There are 54 teachers in this school. 14 have passed away. 40 are still alive, said Daw Thinzari, a teacher’s aide, in an interview with Radio Free Asia.

“Out of the 40, three are injured. One lost a leg, another has been injured. The eldest is receiving treatment at Yangon General Hospital.”

Residents in Sagaing spoke of how they did what they could to help in the aftermath of the quake.

San San Wai choked up as she said, “I gave them food and water and everything they needed with all my love and kindness.”

Another resident told RFA, “If the military had reacted, we could have saved many lives.”

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