A powerful earthquake shook Myanmar and Thailand, causing extensive damage and loss of life. The initial death toll surpassed 140 and was expected to rise. In Bangkok, at least six people died when a high-rise building collapsed.
The full extent of the devastation was unclear, especially in Myanmar, a country facing civil unrest with restricted information flow. Myanmar’s military leader reported 144 dead and 730 injured, while Thailand confirmed six deaths, 22 injuries, and 101 missing individuals in construction sites, including the collapsed high-rise.
The 7.7 magnitude quake hit near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, with subsequent aftershocks. The U.S. Geological Survey warned that casualties might exceed 1,000. Rescue efforts were underway in city centers, where buildings crumbled, trapping people underneath.
International aid began pouring in, with teams from China, Russia, India, Malaysia, and the United Nations mobilizing resources to assist the affected regions. Despite concerns about reductions in foreign aid under President Trump’s administration, support was pledged to aid the recovery efforts.
The aftermath of the earthquake depicted a landscape of destruction, with roads damaged and bridges collapsed, underscoring the urgent need for relief and assistance in the affected areas.
After a dam burst and a destructive earthquake hit, concerns arose about reaching inaccessible areas in a country grappling with a humanitarian crisis. Mohammed Riyas, the International Rescue Committee’s Myanmar director, expressed apprehension, stating, “We fear it may take weeks to grasp the full scope of the earthquake’s devastation.”
The Global New Light of Myanmar reported collapses of bridges, monasteries, and buildings in five cities and towns. Notably, a key highway bridge between Mandalay and Yangon collapsed, as depicted by a photo showing the remains of an “EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT” sign from the capital’s main hospital. Videos circulating online captured monks in Mandalay observing the crumbling Ma Soe Yane monastery and damage to the former royal palace.
Christian Aid received reports of a dam rupture in a city, leading to rising water levels in low-lying regions. As the earthquake struck, residents of Yangon fled their homes, while in Naypyitaw, rescuers worked to clear debris and assist the injured.
Against a backdrop of existing hardships, Julie Mehigan of Christian Aid emphasized the devastating impact of the earthquake on communities already struggling due to conflict and displacement. Myanmar’s political turmoil, marked by the military’s power grab and civil unrest, has exacerbated the challenges faced by the population.
In Thailand, near Bangkok’s bustling Chatuchak market, a 33-story building under construction collapsed in a cloud of dust. Startled onlookers captured the chaos on social media, as sirens wailed and rescuers rushed to the scene to assist the injured. The aftermath of the collapse left a stark reminder of the fragility of structures in earthquake-prone regions, prompting reactions of shock and sorrow from officials and witnesses alike.
Amidst the unfolding tragedies, the need for swift and coordinated responses to provide aid and support to affected communities remains paramount in both Myanmar and Thailand.
When the earthquake hit, chaos unfolded in K’s numerous malls. “Suddenly, the entire building started shaking. There was immediate screaming and widespread panic,” described one witness. Some individuals escaped down escalators moving upwards. Tourist Paul Vincent from England nearby observed a high-rise building swaying, water cascading from a rooftop pool, and people sobbing in the streets.
Initial reports from the U.S. Geological Survey and Germany’s GFZ center for geosciences indicated that the earthquake was a shallow 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). Shallow earthquakes typically result in more severe damage. Injuries were reported in China as well.
The earthquake was felt in China’s Yunnan and Sichuan provinces to the northeast, causing destruction and casualties in Ruili on the Myanmar border, according to Chinese media. In Mangshi, a city about 100 kilometers (60 miles) northeast of Ruili, the shaking was so intense that people couldn’t remain standing, as one resident informed The Paper, an online news outlet.
Contributors to this report include Adam Schreck, Haruka Naga, Jerry Harmer, Grant Peck, and Penny Wang in Bangkok; Jamey Keaten in Geneva; Ken Moritsugu in Beijing; Edith M. Lederer and Farnoush Amiri at the United Nations; and Jennifer Peltz in New York.
