French Couple Among Victims of Myanmar Earthquake
Carol and Bertrand Louveau, originally from Beausset, died during a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Naypyidaw.
Carol Louveau, 53, and Bertrand Louveau, 55, both residents of Beausset, France, lost their lives during a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday.
The couple had arrived in Naypyidaw, the capital of Myanmar, just 48 hours prior from Bangkok, Thailand, as part of their travels in Southeast Asia.
The earthquake occurred at approximately 12:50 PM local time (7:20 AM in France) while the Louveaus were dining in a restaurant.
Witness accounts indicate that debris fell during the quake, and both individuals were trapped underneath.
Henri-Michel Raude, the father of Carol Louveau and president of the hunting club in Évenos, recounted that the couple frequently traveled abroad during school vacations, with a particular affinity for Asia.
They had previously spent two years residing in Vietnam, returning to France in July of the previous year and embarking on their current journey in January.
Family members confirmed that the bodies of the Louveaus were recovered by Saturday afternoon and taken to the morgue.
The family received official confirmation of their deaths from the French embassy on Sunday morning.
Despite the embassy's request to repatriate the bodies to France, it has been reported that the military junta in Myanmar refused this request, indicating that the bodies would likely be cremated locally, alongside other victims of the earthquake.
To honor the couple, a mass has been scheduled by the local priest in Naypyidaw.
Carol Louveau had served as a municipal councilor responsible for schools in Beausset from 2008 to 2014 and had worked with France Télévisions in Paris.
Her husband, Bertrand Louveau, held a management degree from Ipag in Nice and worked in the information technology sector.
The couple resided in the Migoua neighborhood of Beausset and had two daughters: Victoria, 23, who resides in Nice and is pursuing a career in finance in London, and Bérénice, 18, a first-year student in Montreal, Canada, aspiring to become a diplomat.
The Louveaus were scheduled to return to France in April to visit their children, marking the trip to Myanmar as their final journey together.
The couple had arrived in Naypyidaw, the capital of Myanmar, just 48 hours prior from Bangkok, Thailand, as part of their travels in Southeast Asia.
The earthquake occurred at approximately 12:50 PM local time (7:20 AM in France) while the Louveaus were dining in a restaurant.
Witness accounts indicate that debris fell during the quake, and both individuals were trapped underneath.
Henri-Michel Raude, the father of Carol Louveau and president of the hunting club in Évenos, recounted that the couple frequently traveled abroad during school vacations, with a particular affinity for Asia.
They had previously spent two years residing in Vietnam, returning to France in July of the previous year and embarking on their current journey in January.
Family members confirmed that the bodies of the Louveaus were recovered by Saturday afternoon and taken to the morgue.
The family received official confirmation of their deaths from the French embassy on Sunday morning.
Despite the embassy's request to repatriate the bodies to France, it has been reported that the military junta in Myanmar refused this request, indicating that the bodies would likely be cremated locally, alongside other victims of the earthquake.
To honor the couple, a mass has been scheduled by the local priest in Naypyidaw.
Carol Louveau had served as a municipal councilor responsible for schools in Beausset from 2008 to 2014 and had worked with France Télévisions in Paris.
Her husband, Bertrand Louveau, held a management degree from Ipag in Nice and worked in the information technology sector.
The couple resided in the Migoua neighborhood of Beausset and had two daughters: Victoria, 23, who resides in Nice and is pursuing a career in finance in London, and Bérénice, 18, a first-year student in Montreal, Canada, aspiring to become a diplomat.
The Louveaus were scheduled to return to France in April to visit their children, marking the trip to Myanmar as their final journey together.
