Islamabad, Mar 28, 2025: A massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, leaving at least 144 people dead and 732 injured across the country.
The tremor also caused widespread destruction in Thailand, where a skyscraper collapse in Bangkok killed three people and left 81 trapped under the rubble.
The epicenter of the earthquake was near Sagaing, northwest of Mandalay, Myanmar’s ancient royal capital. A 6.4-magnitude aftershock followed minutes later, adding to the devastation.
Myanmar Declares State of Emergency, Requests Foreign Aid
Myanmar’s military junta, which has been battling an armed insurgency for four years, declared a state of emergency in the six hardest-hit regions and issued a rare request for international aid.
“We want the international community to provide humanitarian assistance as soon as possible,” junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun told reporters at a hospital in Naypyidaw, where the emergency department collapsed due to the quake.
Hospitals Overwhelmed as Casualties Mount
In Myanmar, hundreds of injured people flooded hospitals. Medics were forced to treat patients outside, as parts of medical facilities collapsed.
Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing visited hospitals, as officials scrambled to assess the full scale of the disaster.
Social media footage showed collapsed buildings, debris-strewn streets, and roads split open in Mandalay.
The Red Cross reported extensive damage to roads, bridges, and dams, raising concerns about further infrastructure failures.
READ MORE:
Heathrow Airport Faces Shut Down After Huge Fire Incident
Skyscraper Collapses in Thailand, Leaving 81 Trapped
Across the border in Thailand, the quake led to the collapse of an under-construction skyscraper near Bangkok’s Chatuchak Market.
At least three people were confirmed dead, while 81 workers remained trapped under the wreckage.
Rescue teams, navigating the twisted metal and rubble, were struggling to reach survivors. Deputy Police Chief Worapat Sukthai said rescuers heard voices calling for help beneath the debris.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared an emergency in Bangkok, leading to metro service suspensions and severe traffic disruptions.
Tremors Felt Across the Region
The earthquake’s impact was felt across China, Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia, with tremors briefly knocking out power in Chiang Mai, Thailand’s northern tourist hub.
A livestream from Beijing News showed emergency workers clearing debris in Ruili, China, near the Myanmar border. A video from Douyin (Chinese TikTok) captured water and debris cascading off a high-rise building in the city.
International Community Responds
Governments worldwide, including India, France, and the European Union, have offered humanitarian assistance.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) expressed solidarity with the victims and activated its Crisis Management Unit (CMU) to assist Pakistanis in Myanmar and Thailand.
The FO praised emergency responders and assured that embassy officials in Yangon and Bangkok were available for assistance.
Historical Context: Myanmar’s Earthquake Risk
Myanmar sits on the Sagaing Fault, a major seismic zone. Six 7.0+ magnitude earthquakes struck between 1930 and 1956.
The most recent significant quake, a 6.8-magnitude tremor in 2016, killed three people and damaged Bagan’s ancient temples.
What’s Next?
- Rescue teams are working to save those trapped under collapsed structures in Bangkok and Myanmar.
- Myanmar’s military government is facing one of its biggest humanitarian crises as it manages disaster relief amid an ongoing civil war.
- The international response to Myanmar’s rare call for aid could test diplomatic ties with the junta.
