The number of deaths from Myanmar’s catastrophic earthquake rose to 2,056 while over 3,900 others were injured, the country’s ruling junta said on Monday. Another 270 are missing, and with this, the government has issued a week-long national mourning period. In honor of the deceased, national flags will be kept at half-mast until April 6.

Rescue Efforts Gradually Slow Down in Mandalay

Mandalay, Myanmar‘s second-largest city with a population of more than 1.7 million, is still one of the hardest-hit areas. But rescue efforts are slowly winding down, underlining the sheer extent of devastation.

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Aung Myint Hussein, administrator of Mandalay’s Sajja North mosque, said the situation was “so dire that it’s hard to express what is happening.”

Thousands Homeless, Sleeping on Streets

With the collapse of buildings into rubble and the ongoing aftershocks, Mandalay residents had to camp outside on the roads for the third night in succession. While many were able to find refuge inside tents, countless others, including small children, slept on bedding spread across roads in the hopes of avoiding destruction from collapse.

Foreign Nationals Among the Victims

The quake also killed a number of foreign nationals. Three Chinese and two French citizens were among the dead, AFP reported, citing China’s state media and the French Foreign Ministry.

Scope of Disaster Still Undetermined

Because of extensive communication disruptions, the extent of the damage is still unclear, and authorities anticipate further increase in the death toll as relief efforts continue.

Gigantic 7.7 Earthquake Spreads Destruction Beyond Myanmar

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck with huge cracks in roads, collapsed buildings, and sent strong tremors through China, Thailand, Vietnam, and India’s eastern regions.

In the Thai capital, Bangkok, a half-built 30-storey building toppled over, while at least 19 people were killed.