A media host in Myanmar on Friday recalled what he described his "most memorable" life experience when a violent 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked the Southeast Asian nation at around 12:50 local time on the same day, appealing for international assistance to the country's disaster relief efforts. Myanmar's state-run television said the death toll in Friday's earthquake that struck central parts of the country has so far climbed to 1,002 with 2,376 more injured, while a lot of others remain missing. Zwe Thet Paing, a host for Myanmar International Radio, shared his personal experience when the strong tremor was felt in Yangon, the country's largest city, in an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN). "It happened like around 01:00 pm local time. It happened during my break time. I was chilling with my coffee and with my co-workers, and the building started shaking. Soon, I was like, 'Oh, what's going on, what's happening?' The shaking (was) getting stronger and intense. So, I got a realization, 'Oh, the earthquake is really happening right now in Myanmar.' So, of course, I ran away as fast as I can," the host recounted. Much of the devastation has been reported in Mandalay, the country's second-largest city that lies close to the epicenter of the quake. Based on what he had learned about the aftermath of the disaster, the media host said the total loss and damage remain difficult to estimate. "The situation in Mandalay is really bad right now. The Clock Tower near Mandalay, monastery, collapsed, and was damaged. And the obvious part is the Old Sagaing Bridge sustained damage. I'm sure it's already on social media, part of the Mandalay Moat collapsed and was damaged. So, I think some historical sites from the Myanmar kingdom era have collapsed, so it's really difficult to estimate the total loss and damage," he said. The Myanmar government has released an emergency announcement regarding the earthquake and assembled a committee to provide assistance to those affected, the host said, calling on the international community to help. "We need international assistance. Please support us, please pray for Myanmar. We need emergency help, especially in Mandalay," he added. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday that the United Nations system is mobilizing to support people in need in Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries which have also been affected by the quake. SHOTLIST: Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar - March 28, 2025 1. People, vehicles on roadside; Yangon, Myanmar - March 28, 2025 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Zwe Thet Paing, host, Myanmar International Radio (starting with shot 1): "That one is one of the most memorable in my life. It happened like around 01:00 pm local time. It happened during my break time. I was chilling with my coffee and with my co-workers, and the building started shaking. Soon, I was like, 'Oh, what's going on, what's happening?' The shaking (was) getting stronger and intense. So, I got a realization, 'Oh, the earthquake is really happening right now in Myanmar.' So, of course, I ran away as fast as I can."; Mandalay, Myanmar - March 28, 2025 3. Road blocked by collapsed buildings; 4. Various of crane trucks, rescuers, rubble; 5. Various of damaged buildings, rubble, buildings titling on one side; Yangon, Myanmar - March 28, 2025 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Zwe Thet Paing, host, Myanmar International Radio (starting with shots 4-5/ending with shot 7): "The situation in Mandalay is really bad right now. The Clock Tower near Mandalay, monastery, collapsed, and was damaged. And the obvious part is the Old Sagaing Bridge sustained damage. I'm sure it's already on social media, part of the Mandalay Moat collapsed and was damaged. So, I think some historical sites from the Myanmar kingdom era have collapsed, so it's really difficult to estimate the total loss and damage, I think so. According to latest news, the government has just released an emergency announcement regarding the earthquake. So according to announcement, a committee has been organized to provide all-round assistance. We need international assistance. Please support us, please pray for Myanmar. We need emergency help, especially in Mandalay."; Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar - March 28, 2025 7. Various of cracked roads, vehicles. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]