Myanmar quake death toll reaches 2,719, 441 still missing

The death toll from Friday's devastating earthquake in Myanmar has reached 2,719, with 4,521 people injured and 441 others still missing. 

The country's State Administration Council Chairman, Min Aung Hlaing, provided this update during a cash donation ceremony for quake victims held in Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday, according to a report by Chinese news agency Xinhua, citing local media sources.  

The quake destroyed buildings, downed bridges, and buckled roads across swathes of Myanmar, with massive destruction seen in Mandalay, the country's second biggest city and home to more than 1.7 million people, according to AFP.

In an exceptionally rare move, Junta leader Hlaing issued an appeal for international aid on Friday, underscoring the severity of the disaster. Previous military governments have typically rejected foreign assistance, even after major natural disasters.