Research teams assesses Bagan damage

Preliminary reports have shown that 264 religious and history buildings were damaged or ruined in Mandalay Region, while Magway Region reportedly suffered damage to 206 religious buildings as well as three deaths.

 

The quake, centring 12 miles west of Chauk in Magway Region, was most notable for the damage dealt to Bagan with about 185 pagodas destroyed or damaged.

 

A female Spanish tourist was also reportedly injured.

 

“There are 11 groups working on the list right now. We will also be working with the engineering group to confirm the amount of damage done,” said an archaeologist.

 

According to Joint Secretary Myo Nyunt Aung from Bagan Heritage Trust, Lawka Oo Shaung and Ananda have had murals and paintings destroyed. He added that several buildings had destroyed apexes.

 

In total, 217 religious buildings and two schools were destroyed in the Nyaung-U area.

 

Magway police said there were 206 pagodas, 17 buildings, 25 monasteries, 16 schools, 10 offices and a hospital damaged.

 

Three people had died while two sustained injuries, according to the police.

 

“We have provided protection in key places in cooperation with administrators. Some places are having rubble cleared out. There are three deaths in Magway Region,” said a police officer.

 

Historic pagodas in Salin Township, particularly Thay Khae Hla and Shwe Myin Tin, were reportedly damaged.

 

The former was dated at over 1,000 years old while the other was over 700 years old.

 

A 4.0-strong aftershock occurred on August 25 with its epicentre 8 miles southeast of Thabeikkyin.

 

No damage was reported.