The devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and parts of Thailand has claimed over 1,000 lives, with the death toll expected to rise as rescue operations continue.
Massive Destruction and Rising Casualties
The powerful quake hit northwest of Sagaing, Myanmar, on March 28, 2025, followed by a strong 6.7-magnitude aftershock.
The tremors caused widespread destruction, collapsing buildings, damaging bridges, and buckling roads, particularly in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city.
The ruling junta confirmed that at least 1,002 people were killed and nearly 2,400 others were injured in Myanmar. Additionally, around 10 deaths have been reported in Bangkok, Thailand.
With communication networks severely affected, authorities fear the true extent of the damage is yet to be uncovered. Geologists have labeled this as the most powerful earthquake Myanmar has experienced in decades.
Eyewitness Accounts of Devastation
In Mandalay, a centuries-old Buddhist pagoda was reduced to rubble. A soldier stationed nearby described the horror:
“The ground started shaking, and then everything collapsed. The monastery was destroyed, and we lost a monk in the rubble.”
He added that many survivors are now afraid to sleep indoors due to aftershock fears.
At Mandalay Airport, officials turned away journalists, reporting that part of the ceiling had collapsed but without casualties.
The airport’s damage is expected to hinder relief efforts in a country already struggling with civil war and a weakened infrastructure.
Myanmar Junta Appeals for International Help
For the first time in years, Myanmar’s junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, made an official plea for international aid, underscoring the crisis’s severity.
The country has declared a state of emergency in six worst-affected regions. Hospitals in the capital, Naypyidaw, have resorted to treating patients in open spaces due to structural damage.
Global leaders have begun responding, with the U.S. pledging assistance. President Donald Trump confirmed that aid efforts are underway.
India has already sent an emergency relief flight to Yangon, carrying hygiene kits, food parcels, and other essential supplies. Meanwhile, China dispatched an 82-member rescue team to assist in search and recovery efforts.
Rescue Efforts in Bangkok After Skyscraper Collapse
The earthquake’s impact was also felt in Bangkok, where a 30-story skyscraper under construction collapsed, leaving a pile of debris and twisted metal.
Officials confirmed at least 10 deaths in the city, with up to 100 workers still unaccounted for.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stated:
“We are deploying all resources available because every life matters. Thermal imaging drones have detected signs of at least 15 survivors.”
City officials have launched a large-scale inspection of buildings after receiving over 2,000 reports of structural damage.
Hundreds of displaced residents were forced to spend the night in parks, fearing their homes were unsafe.
A Humanitarian Crisis Unfolding
Aid agencies warn that Myanmar’s limited resources are insufficient to cope with such a large-scale disaster.
Even before the earthquake, around 3.5 million people were displaced due to civil unrest, many already struggling with food insecurity.
The coming days will be critical as international relief efforts ramp up. As Myanmar and Thailand grapple with the aftermath of this devastating quake, the world watches and hopes for swift action to save lives and rebuild shattered communities.
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