A powerful series of earthquakes centered near Sagaing in Myanmar leaves 144 dead and over 700 injured, prompting states of emergency in both Myanmar and Thailand.
March 28, 2025: New Delhi:
A devastating series of six earthquakes, including a massive 7.7-magnitude tremor, struck central Myanmar near the city of Sagaing on Friday afternoon, leaving at least 144 people dead and 732 injured, according to Myanmar state broadcaster MRTV.
Also Read: Myanmar Earthquake Turns 1000-Bed Hospital Into “Mass Casualty Zone” as Death Toll Rises
The widespread damage and high casualties have prompted both Myanmar and Thailand to declare a state of emergency, with leaders from both nations calling for immediate aid and global assistance.
Earthquake sum up 3pm (Mynamar/Thailand)
— Florian Witulski (@vaitor) March 28, 2025
– 7.7 quake hit near Mandalay/Myanmar
– Hundreds of homes collapsed (various Myanmar cities)
– Strong shocks in Thailand + multiple building collapse in Bangkok
– USGS predicts thousands of people dead
(Bangkok clips from social media:) pic.twitter.com/kJodTn6BIg
Among the worst-hit areas is a 1000-bed hospital in Myanmar’s capital Naypyidaw, which has been overwhelmed by injured patients. A mosque in Mandalay collapsed during Friday prayers, killing 10, while a university fire in the same city also resulted in fatalities.
Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has appealed for international help, saying, “any country and any organisation” willing to assist is welcome. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue in debris-strewn areas.
Bangkok Building Collapse and Thailand Emergency
In Bangkok, a 30-floor under-construction skyscraper in the Chatuchak area collapsed completely, trapping 84 workers beneath rubble. Three deaths have been confirmed so far from the site, while authorities continue rescue operations.
The tremors—strong enough to shake metro systems and high-rises—sent panic across northern Thailand, particularly in tourist areas like Chiang Mai, where frightened residents ran into the streets.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra interrupted her Phuket visit to coordinate an emergency response.
Regional Impact and Global Response
The quake’s impact extended to China’s Yunnan province, where authorities recorded a 7.9-magnitude jolt, and across Vietnam, Dhaka, Chattogram, and Indian cities like Kolkata and Imphal, where mild tremors were reported.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern and assured that India is ready to assist, instructing the MEA to stay in touch with Myanmar and Thailand.
European leaders also extended support.
Myanmar’s Worst in Decades
Myanmar has a history of strong quakes, especially along the Sagaing Fault. The last major incident occurred in 2016, when a 6.8-magnitude quake in Bagan killed three and damaged historic temples. However, Friday’s catastrophe is one of the worst in decades, severely exposing the region’s fragile infrastructure and medical systems.
Collapsed bridges, highways, residential buildings, and damaged airports have made rescue and relief operations extremely difficult, especially in Mandalay and nearby regions.
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