A cataclysmic earthquake hit central Myanmar, with neighboring regions feeling its impact and a rising death toll.
Mandalay, Myanmar Devastated by 7.7-Magnitude Earthquake
Mandalay, Myanmar Devastated by 7.7-Magnitude Earthquake
Southeast Asia shaken by tragic earthquake, leaving many casualties and extensive damage.
March 28, 2025, 5:56 a.m. ET
A catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, on Friday, producing violent tremors that reverberated across Southeast Asia, with significant damage reported in cities such as Bangkok, Thailand. So far, reports indicate at least 20 fatalities in Myanmar and three in Thailand. The quake hit at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, followed closely by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock just 12 minutes later.
The tremor's force caused severe disruptions in Mandalay, leading to the collapse of numerous structures, including the Ava Bridge and other buildings. Eyewitness accounts relayed chaos as individuals attempted to flee afterward. In Mandalay, local hospitals were quickly overwhelmed, with reports indicating that around 200 people were injured. Many patients escaped to a nearby parking lot, still attached to IV drips out of necessity.
In neighboring Thailand, the earthquake similarly resulted in destruction. Videos reportedly depict a massive 30-story building under construction in Bangkok succumbing to the quake, causing at least three confirmed deaths. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the Prime Minister of Thailand, has proclaimed a state of emergency in Bangkok, urging residents to evacuate tall buildings amid fears of aftershocks.
Tremors were also perceived in Bangladesh's capital city, Dhaka, as well as in Vietnam, with no immediate reports of damage. Meanwhile, rescue teams from the Myanmar Red Cross Society are working to assess damages; however, access has been hampered due to downed electricity and communication lines in affected areas like Mandalay and Sagaing.
Reports of chaos in the aftermath include a fire at a Mandalay hospital, further exacerbating the dire situation as patients faced urgent needs for medical attention. Videos circulating on social media provide evidence of destruction, highlighting the urgency of response as aid organizations mobilize—efforts complicated by the ongoing civil unrest that has plagued Myanmar since the military takeover four years prior.
The extensive humanitarian and infrastructural ramifications of this disaster continue to unfold as rescue operations progress and communities that have borne the brunt of this calamity brace for potential further aftershocks.
A catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, on Friday, producing violent tremors that reverberated across Southeast Asia, with significant damage reported in cities such as Bangkok, Thailand. So far, reports indicate at least 20 fatalities in Myanmar and three in Thailand. The quake hit at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, followed closely by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock just 12 minutes later.
The tremor's force caused severe disruptions in Mandalay, leading to the collapse of numerous structures, including the Ava Bridge and other buildings. Eyewitness accounts relayed chaos as individuals attempted to flee afterward. In Mandalay, local hospitals were quickly overwhelmed, with reports indicating that around 200 people were injured. Many patients escaped to a nearby parking lot, still attached to IV drips out of necessity.
In neighboring Thailand, the earthquake similarly resulted in destruction. Videos reportedly depict a massive 30-story building under construction in Bangkok succumbing to the quake, causing at least three confirmed deaths. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the Prime Minister of Thailand, has proclaimed a state of emergency in Bangkok, urging residents to evacuate tall buildings amid fears of aftershocks.
Tremors were also perceived in Bangladesh's capital city, Dhaka, as well as in Vietnam, with no immediate reports of damage. Meanwhile, rescue teams from the Myanmar Red Cross Society are working to assess damages; however, access has been hampered due to downed electricity and communication lines in affected areas like Mandalay and Sagaing.
Reports of chaos in the aftermath include a fire at a Mandalay hospital, further exacerbating the dire situation as patients faced urgent needs for medical attention. Videos circulating on social media provide evidence of destruction, highlighting the urgency of response as aid organizations mobilize—efforts complicated by the ongoing civil unrest that has plagued Myanmar since the military takeover four years prior.
The extensive humanitarian and infrastructural ramifications of this disaster continue to unfold as rescue operations progress and communities that have borne the brunt of this calamity brace for potential further aftershocks.
