Powerful 7.7 Earthquake Strikes Myanmar and Bangkok

A massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, causing widespread destruction and panic across Southeast Asia.

Photo: by Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP

The tremors were felt as far as Bangkok, Thailand, where a high-rise building under construction collapsed, trapping dozens of workers and prompting the declaration of emergency zones in both nations.

The earthquake’s epicenter was located near Sagaing, Myanmar, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake was followed by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock.

In Myanmar’s cities of Mandalay and Yangon, roads buckled, buildings crumbled, and residents fled their homes in fear. Witnesses described scenes of chaos, including the collapse of a five-story building and partial damage to a mosque.

Myanmar authorities have initiated search-and-rescue operations but have yet to confirm the full extent of casualties. Social media posts from Mandalay showed widespread destruction, though these reports remain unverified.

In Bangkok, the tremors caused significant damage, including the collapse of a 30-story skyscraper under construction in the Chatuchak district. Emergency responders reported at least two fatalities and seven survivors rescued from the rubble, with 43 workers still trapped.

The Thai Prime Minister interrupted her official trip to Phuket to hold an emergency meeting as inspections began on other high-rise buildings affected by the quake.

Witnesses described harrowing moments as buildings swayed and panicked residents rushed into the streets. "I ran out in my pajamas," said Duangjai, a resident of Chiang Mai who felt the tremors hundreds of kilometers away from Bangkok.

Public transportation services were temporarily suspended, and trading on Thailand’s stock exchange was halted due to safety concerns.

The earthquake was also felt in China’s Yunnan province and India’s northeastern regions. Chinese authorities reported no injuries but are closely monitoring developments. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered assistance to Myanmar and Thailand as both nations grapple with the aftermath of this disaster.

Rescue teams in Bangkok have deployed drones to assess damage at the collapsed building site while emergency medical services work tirelessly to locate survivors.

In Myanmar, search efforts continue in Sagaing and Mandalay amid challenging conditions exacerbated by ongoing civil conflict in the region.

This devastating earthquake underscores vulnerabilities in Southeast Asia’s infrastructure and highlights the urgent need for disaster preparedness across the region. Authorities are expected to release updated casualty figures as rescue operations progress.