Satellite Images Shows Myanmar Sites Before, After Severe Damage From Earthquake

The death toll in Myanmar from a powerful earthquake was likely to continue to grow on Sunday as damage to infrastructure hampered efforts to coordinate disaster relief. Satellite images showed damage to three Buddhist temples around Mandalay, as well as the flattening of homes in the country's second biggest city. A bridge over the Irrawaddy River has also collapsed after Friday's 7.7-magnitude quake, which shook much of Southeast Asia. The latest national death toll soared to 1,644 on Saturday, a sharp rise compared to the 1,002 announced just hours earlier. The number of injured increased to 3,408, while the missing figure rose to 139. Many roads have been left damaged, while the air traffic control tower at Naypyitaw International Airport was also toppled. Another major complication is the civil war roiling much of the country, including the quake-affected areas. In 2001, the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, sparking what has since turned into significant armed resistance. Government forces have lost control of much of Myanmar, and many places are incredibly dangerous or simply impossible for aid groups to reach. More than 3 million people have been displaced by the fighting and nearly 20 million are in need, according to the United Nations. The interplay of politics and disaster was demonstrated Saturday night, when Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government announced a unilateral partial ceasefire to facilitate earthquake relief efforts. It said its armed wing, the People’s Defense Force, will implement a two-week pause in offensive military operations starting Sunday in earthquake-affected areas and it would also collaborate with the U.N. and international nongovernmental organizations "to ensure security, transportation, and the establishment of temporary rescue and medical camps,” in the areas it controls. The resistance organization said it reserved the right to fight back in defense if attacked.