Over 1,000 dead as 7.7-magnitude earthquake strikes Myanmar and Thailand
Rescue operations underway amid widespread destruction
DUBAI: A catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, causing widespread destruction and loss of life across the region.
The tremors were felt as far as Bangkok, Thailand, leading to the collapse of a high-rise building under construction.
Authorities report over 1,000 fatalities in Myanmar and additional casualties in Thailand.
Epicenter of earthquake
The earthquake's epicenter was near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. This proximity to the surface intensified the shaking, resulting in significant structural damage.
In Mandalay, centuries-old Buddhist pagodas crumbled, and numerous buildings and bridges were destroyed. The junta's information team reported 1,002 deaths and 2,376 injuries across the country.
Bangkok high-rise collapse
In Bangkok, the earthquake caused a 30-story skyscraper under construction near the Chatuchak Weekend Market to collapse. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate survivors amidst the rubble. Bangkok authorities have confirmed at least six deaths, 26 injuries, and 47 individuals missing in connection with the collapse.
View of collapsed building in Bangkok after major quake https://t.co/kLRXTvKQLT
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 28, 2025
Rescue and aid efforts
The disaster has prompted a rare appeal for international assistance from Myanmar's military junta. Countries including India, China, and Russia have dispatched rescue teams and aid supplies to the affected areas.
An Indian Air Force aircraft carrying approximately 15 tonnes of relief material, including blankets, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, sleeping bags, essential medicines, and food packets, departed from Hindon Air Force Station and arrived in Yangon on Saturday morning.
Relief operations
Rescue operations are being hampered by disrupted communications and transportation infrastructure. In Bangkok, authorities are deploying over 100 engineers to inspect buildings for safety after receiving more than 2,000 reports of damage.
Hundreds of residents have been forced to spend nights in the open due to concerns over structural integrity.
What the hell was this? #earthquake #bangkok pic.twitter.com/yY5v3XdpLd
— Nicolas Vanhove (@NicolasVanhove) March 28, 2025
The earthquake's effects were felt beyond Myanmar and Thailand, with reports of tremors in neighboring countries. In China’s Yunnan province, buildings sustained damage, and residents experienced strong shaking. The widespread impact underscores the earthquake's severity and the urgent need for coordinated regional response efforts.
The full extent of the disaster is still unfolding as rescue teams continue to search for survivors and assess the damage. The death toll is expected to rise as more information becomes available. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and follow safety advisories as aftershocks continue to pose risks in the affected areas.