Myanmar, Thailand Earthquake Leaves Over 150 Dead and Hundreds Injured
A devastating Myanmar, Thailand earthquake rocked Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, claiming more than 150 lives and injuring over 700 people. The shallow 7.7-magnitude quake, followed closely by a 6.4 aftershock, struck northwest of Sagaing, Myanmar, shaking buildings across the region and collapsing key infrastructure.
The disaster has left dozens trapped beneath the rubble, while authorities have warned the death toll may rise sharply as rescue efforts continue.
Myanmar, Thailand Earthquake Collapses Buildings and Bridges
The Myanmar, Thailand earthquake left a trail of destruction in its wake. Entire villages were flattened, roads were split, and critical bridges collapsed. In Myanmar’s Mandalay and Sagaing regions, buildings were reduced to rubble, including a hospital and a hotel, local media confirmed.
Even Bangkok, located hundreds of kilometers away, felt the quake’s fury. A 30-storey skyscraper under construction collapsed completely, turning into a massive pile of concrete and dust.
“Myanmar is not ready for such a disaster,” warned Junta Chief Min Aung Hlaing, who confirmed 144 deaths and 732 injuries in Myanmar alone. He called for urgent international aid, saying, “All ways for foreign aid are open.”
Myanmar, Thailand Earthquake Overwhelms Hospitals and Rescue Teams
The Myanmar, Thailand earthquake hit a country already strained by years of civil war, making the response more chaotic. Hospitals in Naypyidaw, Mandalay, and surrounding areas are overwhelmed. Makeshift medical tents have been erected outside damaged facilities to treat the wounded.
“I have never witnessed such a mass casualty situation before,” a doctor from Naypyidaw said. “We are doing the best we can under these terrible conditions.”
Rescue teams reported severe shortages of personnel and equipment, with roads blocked and communication networks disrupted.
Myanmar, Thailand Earthquake Causes Skyscraper Collapse in Bangkok
In Thailand, the Myanmar, Thailand earthquake caused the most significant damage in Bangkok where a towering 30-storey building crumbled. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed eight deaths, with at least 90 people still missing.
“I heard people calling for help from under the rubble,” said Deputy Police Chief Worapat Sukthai. Rescue teams, supported by firefighters and military units, are carefully digging through the ruins to avoid further collapses.
An emergency zone was declared in Bangkok, halting train services and forcing thousands to walk home as authorities scrambled to assess building safety.
Myanmar, Thailand Earthquake Felt Across Asia
The Myanmar, Thailand earthquake sent tremors as far as India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and China. In Chiang Mai, Thailand, power outages and panic followed as residents evacuated buildings.
“This is the strongest tremor I have experienced,” said Sai, a 76-year-old shopkeeper.
International assistance has been pledged, with France, India, the European Union, and the World Health Organization (WHO) preparing relief packages. The WHO also warned that the quake poses a “major threat to life and health” in the region.
Myanmar, Thailand Earthquake Strikes Near Historic Sagaing Fault
The Myanmar, Thailand earthquake occurred near the infamous Sagaing Fault, responsible for several deadly quakes in the 20th century. The last notable event, a 6.8-magnitude quake in 2016, killed three people and damaged hundreds of temples in Bagan.
This latest disaster, however, is one of the most powerful in recent history and could have long-term consequences for Myanmar and Thailand, both socially and economically.
