A devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar and parts of neighbouring Thailand on Friday, leaving at least 144 dead and over 730 injured, according to the country’s military leader.
At The powerful 7.7-magnitude tremor, centered near Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay, led to the collapse of buildings, bridges, and a dam.
The catastrophe resulted in at least 144 deaths in Myanmar, while eight fatalities were reported in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, where a high-rise under construction crumbled.
The quake, which hit around midday, was followed by a significant aftershock measuring 6.4 in magnitude.
Due to Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict and restricted flow of information, the full extent of the disaster remains unclear.
In a televised address, Myanmar’s military leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, confirmed the rising casualties, stating, “The death toll and injuries are expected to rise.” Reports indicated that at least 730 individuals had sustained injuries.
India Extends Support
In response to the disaster, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his country’s readiness to assist Myanmar and Thailand.
“Praying for the safety and wellbeing of everyone,” Modi shared on social media platform X. “India stands ready to offer all possible assistance. In this regard, asked our authorities to be on standby.”
India’s embassy in Thailand reassured citizens of their safety while monitoring developments closely.
“After powerful earthquake tremors recorded in Bangkok and in other parts of Thailand, the Embassy is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Thai authorities. So far, no untoward incident involving any Indian citizen has been reported. In case of any emergency, Indian nationals in Thailand are advised to contact the emergency number +66 618819218. All members of the Indian Embassy in Bangkok and Consulate in Chiang Mai are safe,” the embassy stated in a post on X.
Widespread Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In Myanmar’s capital, Naypyidaw, multiple buildings housing civil servants collapsed, with rescue teams racing to pull survivors from the rubble.
Authorities called for blood donations in heavily affected areas, while images from Mandalay depicted cracked roads, wrecked highways, and the collapse of key infrastructure, raising concerns about access for emergency responders.
In Bangkok, near the bustling Chatuchak market, a 33-story building under construction caved in, sending a massive cloud of dust into the air.
Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed at least three deaths and reported that 90 individuals remained missing. Rescue teams managed to extract seven survivors from the wreckage.
According to first responder Songwut Wangpon, “At least two of the dead were construction workers who were killed by falling rubble or debris.” The structure was being developed by the China Railway Construction Corporation for Thailand’s government auditor general.
As emergency services worked tirelessly, sirens blared through central Bangkok, causing heavy traffic congestion.
Both the elevated rapid transit system and the subway temporarily shut down. Witnesses described chaotic scenes, with Fraser Morton, a Scottish tourist, recounting, “All of a sudden the whole building began to move. Immediately there was screaming and a lot of panic.”
Unprecedented Shaking in Bangkok
Bangkok, which sits on a river delta and is generally at moderate seismic risk, rarely experiences earthquakes of such magnitude. Many residents were caught off guard.
April Kanichawanakul, who works in an office building, initially mistook the tremors for dizziness. “I just thought I was dizzy,” she admitted. She and her colleagues quickly evacuated their 10th-floor office, waiting outside for further instructions.
Similarly, Voranoot Thirawat, a lawyer working in central Bangkok, noticed signs of the quake when she saw a light fixture swaying. Moments later, she heard the creaking of the building.
“In my lifetime, there was no earthquake like this in Bangkok,” she said after she and her colleagues hurriedly descended 12 flights of stairs.
Tourist Paul Vincent, who was at a streetside bar, recalled seeing a high-rise sway while water from a rooftop pool spilled over.
“There was people crying in the streets and, you know, the panic was horrendous really,” he observed.
Cultural and Structural Damage in Myanmar
In Mandalay, the quake inflicted severe damage on historic landmarks, including the Ma Soe Yane monastery, one of the city’s most prominent religious sites.
A viral video captured the moment when robed monks stood outside recording footage of the monastery just before it collapsed entirely. The fate of those inside remains uncertain.
Elsewhere, the Sagaing region saw the collapse of a 90-year-old bridge, while parts of the critical highway linking Mandalay to Yangon sustained significant damage.
Humanitarian Challenges Amid Conflict
Myanmar’s ongoing internal conflict complicates rescue and relief efforts. The country has been in turmoil since the military’s 2021 coup against the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, leading to widespread displacement and humanitarian distress. Over 3 million people have been forced from their homes, with nearly 20 million in need of aid, according to UN estimates.
Relief agencies, including the Red Cross, face additional hurdles due to widespread power outages and infrastructural damage. Julie Mehigan of Christian Aid highlighted the crisis, “This disaster will have left people devastated and in need of drinking water, food and shelter. Myanmar is one of the least developed countries in the world. Even before this heartbreaking earthquake, we know conflict and displacement has left countless people in real need.”
Myanmar’s government responded by declaring a state of emergency in six regions, including Naypyidaw and Mandalay.
However, given the country’s pre-existing state of emergency since 2021, the implications of this new declaration remain unclear.
The tremors reached China’s Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, where damage and injuries were reported.
In Ruili, a city near the Myanmar border, debris covered the streets, and emergency personnel transported injured residents on stretchers.
In Mangshi, a city roughly 100 kilometers northeast of Ruili, the shaking was so intense that residents struggled to stand upright.
As the region grapples with the aftermath of this disaster, emergency teams continue their search for survivors while affected communities begin to assess the path to recovery.
