Ninety-two people were confirmed dead in the rubble of the building. The building was the only one in Thailand to collapse in the earthquake that was centered in neighboring Myanmar.

Rescuers temporarily shut down electrical equipment and machines used in search operations due to the rain over the weekend, making recovery operations more difficult.

The surprise announcement by the unelected government said the halt in fighting would run until April 22 to show compassion for people affected by last week's quake.

The first shipments of international aid arrived at the airport in the former capital, Yangon. They came from neighboring China and from India and included search and rescue and medical teams, as well as blankets, and other provisions.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was a shallow 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), with an epicenter in Myanmar, according to preliminary reports.

The earthquake was centered 10 miles west of Port Vila, the largest city in Vanuatu, a group of 80 islands that is home to about 330,000 people.

A powerful earthquake struck off the Northern California coast, triggering tsunami warnings that were later canceled. Several aftershocks continued to rattle the area off Eureka. 

The day after what was the worst quake to hit the Asian island in a quarter century, most residents cannot stop talking about how much worse it could have been.

The U.S. Geological Survey gave the magnitude as 7.4. The quake collapsed buildings and created a tsunami that washed ashore on southern Japanese islands. At least 9 people died, officials said.

Officials say 1,370 homes were completely or partially destroyed. Many of the houses in that western coastal region of the main island are aging and wooden. Some 30,000 people are in shelters.

The state news agency Xinhua said the quake had a magnitude of 6.2. It reportedly damaged water, electricity, transport, communications and other infrastructure in the mountainous region.

A series of devastating quakes has taken thousands of lives and left thousands more homeless. Aid specialists say the Taliban lacks the equipment and experience to help the survivors.

The 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the same region around Herat, which was devastated by a previous temblor on October 7.

Survivors of the Sept. 8 earthquake return to devastated villages. "This was our paradise," says a 74-year-old woman. "Everyone in this village is like family to me, and our family is now shattered."

Morocco's earthquake last week hit thousands of people who live in traditional villages in the Atlas Mountains. NPR followed rescuers and saw just how hard it was getting to people in need.