Major Earthquake Strikes Myanmar: Thousands Feared Dead

The quake, which occurred near Mandalay, has caused widespread destruction, raising fears of a death toll exceeding 10,000 as buildings collapse and communications break down.

A major earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, inflicting severe damage across the region and compounding the struggles of a nation already grappling with civil unrest. The 7.7-magnitude quake, the most powerful in decades, created chaos in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, located just ten miles from the epicenter. Buildings toppled, roads cracked open, and historical landmarks were reduced to rubble, resulting in a dire humanitarian crisis.

Initial reports from Myanmar's military government indicated at least 144 fatalities and over 732 injuries across just three cities; however, these figures notably exclude Mandalay. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that if the devastation continues and efforts to communicate and coordinate relief escalate, the fatalities could surpass 1,000—and the actual toll might even reach over 10,000, given the area's density and vulnerable infrastructure.

The earthquake's impact was felt throughout Southeast Asia, rattling residents as far away as Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, and southern China. A significant aftershock of magnitude 6.7 was recorded shortly after the principal quake, leading the authorities to declare a state of emergency. In neighboring Thailand, a construction site in Bangkok bore the brunt of the damage, as structures fell and at least eight lives were lost among the 320 workers at the site.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of Thailand urged Bangkok residents to evacuate high-rise buildings as aftershocks continued to pose immediate dangers. Many remained in shock, unable to comprehend the intensity of the event or the destruction it wrought upon their communities.