- Massive Earthquake Strikes – A 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit central Myanmar, causing widespread destruction in both Myanmar and Thailand, particularly in Bangkok.
- Severe Damage in Myanmar – Mandalay suffered major structural damage, including the collapse of historical landmarks and a university fire. A state of emergency has been declared in six regions.
- Bangkok Feels the Impact – Several under-construction buildings collapsed, leading to casualties and rescue operations. Authorities are assessing public transport infrastructure before resuming services.
- Humanitarian Crisis & Aid Efforts – Myanmar’s ongoing political crisis complicates relief efforts, but the military junta has made a rare appeal for international assistance. Rescue operations continue in both countries.
A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, causing widespread devastation in both Myanmar and neighboring Thailand. Reports indicate significant damage, loss of life, and ongoing rescue efforts as authorities work to respond to the crisis.
Destruction in Bangkok
Although the earthquake’s epicenter was in Myanmar, its effects were strongly felt in Thailand, particularly in Bangkok. Thai military officials confirmed that most of the buildings destroyed in the city were under construction at the time of the quake.
The collapse of a high-rise in the Chatuchak neighborhood was captured on video, showing workers fleeing as the structure crumbled. Emergency response teams are actively engaged in rescue operations, with military troops, medical units, and disaster relief teams deployed to affected areas.
Thailand’s prime minister met with government officials and the military at 17:00 local time (10:00 GMT) to coordinate emergency measures. Authorities have also stated that damage to Bangkok’s public transport infrastructure must be assessed before regular operations can resume.
Myanmar Hit Hardest
Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city and only 21 km from the epicenter, suffered extensive damage. Buildings, roads, and historical landmarks were severely impacted. Verified images from the area show parts of the Mandalay Palace walls crumbling and entire structures reduced to rubble. Reports also confirm the collapse of the historic Shwe Sar Yan Pagoda and a fire at Mandalay University.
A state of emergency has been declared in six regions of Myanmar. According to the Red Cross, the damage is significant, with casualties potentially in the hundreds. Power outages and communication blackouts have hampered rescue efforts, making it difficult to determine the full scale of the disaster.
Eyewitness Accounts
Residents and expatriates in both Myanmar and Thailand have shared their experiences of the earthquake. Tom Beeston, a British resident in Bangkok, described the quake as “one of the weirdest things I’ve ever lived through.” He and his colleagues sought shelter under desks before evacuating their high-rise office building.
In Myanmar, English teacher Guilaume D’Agaro recounted the terrifying moment when the quake hit while he was outside with students. “The kids were very scared,” he said, noting that he had not been able to reach friends and family in Mandalay due to communication disruptions. “We are just hoping, that is the only thing we can do.”
Humanitarian Concerns
The earthquake compounds an already dire situation in Myanmar, where political instability following the 2021 military coup has left millions displaced and in need of humanitarian aid. Amnesty International researcher Joe Freeman warned that the disaster would exacerbate existing crises, calling for unrestricted humanitarian access to affected regions.
The military junta in Myanmar, which has historically restricted international aid, made a rare appeal for assistance. Spokesperson Zaw Min Tun urged the international community to provide humanitarian relief “as soon as possible.”
Rescue Efforts and the Road Ahead
Rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate survivors, with 81 workers still trapped in the rubble of a collapsed construction site in Bangkok. Three deaths and 68 injuries have been confirmed in Thailand so far, with five individuals in critical condition.
Authorities and aid organizations continue to assess the damage in both countries, but it is clear that the earthquake has left a lasting impact. As power and communications are gradually restored, more information is expected to emerge about the full extent of the disaster and the ongoing efforts to rebuild and recover.
