In brief
A recent earthquake caused catastrophic damage to numerous cultural and religious landmarks in Myanmar, leaving a lasting impact and raising concerns over the future of historical preservation.
On March 29, 2025, a ferocious earthquake struck Myanmar, causing extensive damage to a multitude of historic and religious sites. According to the government’s assessment released the following day, more than 3,000 buildings were affected, with roughly 150 mosques and pagodas among those severely damaged.Areas southwest of Mandalay experienced notable destruction, including the near-total collapse of the Me Nu Brick Monastery, a structure over 200 years old, whose distinctive balconies crumbled. Video footage captured the moment when the golden spire of the Shwe Sar Yan Pagoda fell, eliciting gasps and cries from a crowd of stunned onlookers.In Mandalay itself, a large pagoda positioned on palace walls was left leaning precariously, while sections of the ancient palace defences crumbled under the earthquake's force. Concurrently, Buddhist monks were filmed gathering around the remnants of a clock tower that had traditionally stood in the New Masoeyein Monastery. Shortly after, viewers watched in horror as the five-story monastery unexpectedly collapsed, forcing its inhabitants to seek shelter on nearby streets.Tragically, reports indicate that 490 people perished in the mosque collapses alone on that fateful Friday. Pindaya, situated 70 miles from the earthquake's epicenter, experienced the destruction of various stupas, with onlookers expressing disbelief and sorrow as aftershocks brought down even more structures.Tun Tun Aye, the administrator of the monastery’s Facebook page, shared his heartbreak over the destruction of the century-old stupas, expressing uncertainty about their potential restoration. Following similar catastrophic events, like the 2015 earthquakes in Nepal, nations often pledged substantial financial support for rebuilding efforts. However, given Myanmar's current military rule and ongoing civil unrest, creating a coordinated and supported reconstruction initiative will likely present significant obstacles.Malachy Browne, who leads the Visual Investigations team at The New York Times, has previously contributed to award-winning journalistic efforts, underscoring the critical nature of this unfolding disaster in Myanmar.
