Chinese Ambassador Li Jinjun, representing the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC), donated on December 31, 2004 an emergency aid of 20,000 US dollars in cash to the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) for victims and their rehabilitation in tsunami-hit areas of the country.

At the donation ceremony, Dr. Kyaw Win, chairman of the MRCS, expressed thanks to the Chinese counterpart, Chinese government and its people for the move.

When asked about the updated death toll in Myanmar by aftershocks of a powerful Indian Ocean earthquake which triggered a tsunami last Sunday, he said it could be between 60 and 100 and will not exceed 100.

Rescue operation is underway by the Myanmar government, he said.

According to government statistics, 36 people were killed, 14 missing and 45 injured as of Tuesday afternoon by earthquake and tsunami.

The figures also said 138 buildings were destroyed in some parts of the country's six divisions and states -- Tanintharyi, Yangon, Bago, Ayeyawaddy, Rakhine and Shan (South) and 778 people were left homeless.

Meanwhile, a moderate earthquake of 5.1-magnitude with its epicenter 286 km north of Yangon occurred at 7:40 am (local time) Thursday morning, the country's meteorology department announced.

No casualties have so far been reported, according to the MRCS chairman.

Scared by rumors that a possible quake would hit the capital on Thursday evening, thousands of residents fled to the streets. The government subsequently advised the public not to panic and to remain at home for the sake of safety.

Source: Xinhua