A devastating earthquake struck Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand on Friday, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
The 7.7-magnitude tremor, which had its epicenter near Mandalay, was followed by a powerful 6.4-magnitude aftershock, leaving cities in turmoil and rescue teams scrambling to reach those trapped under rubble.
In Myanmar, the quake brought down buildings, including the Ma Soe Yane monastery in Mandalay, and severely damaged the historic royal palace.
A 90-year-old bridge in the Sagaing region collapsed, while a dam failure in Mandalay caused water levels to rise dangerously.
The extent of casualties remains unclear due to Myanmar’s ongoing civil war, which has made access to some of the hardest-hit areas nearly impossible.
With millions already displaced by conflict and nearly 20 million people in urgent need of aid, the earthquake has deepened the country’s humanitarian crisis.
The Red Cross reported difficulties reaching affected communities due to downed power lines and damaged infrastructure.
Christian Aid’s Julie Mehigan emphasized the dire situation, stating, “This disaster will have left people devastated and in need of drinking water, food, and shelter.”
Myanmar’s military government declared a state of emergency in six regions, including Naypyitaw and Mandalay.
However, given that the country has been under emergency rule since 2021, the practical implications remain uncertain.
The government spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, appealed for blood donations, highlighting the critical medical needs in hospitals treating the injured.
Thailand: High-Rise Collapse in Bangkok
In Thailand, the earthquake’s impact was felt most severely in Bangkok, where a 33-story building under construction collapsed near the Chatuchak market.
The disaster killed at least three people and left 90 missing. Onlookers watched in horror as a cloud of dust enveloped the area, and emergency sirens blared across the city.
Footage from social media captured the moment of collapse, with panicked screams and people rushing for safety.
Fraser Morton, a Scottish tourist, described the chaos, saying, “All of a sudden, the whole building began to move. Immediately there was screaming and a lot of panic.”
As aftershocks continued, authorities urged residents to stay outdoors. The city’s transit systems, including the subway and elevated trains, were temporarily halted.
Bangkok’s city hall declared a disaster zone to mobilize emergency response efforts in the densely populated metropolis.
April Kanichawanakul, a local office worker, initially mistook the tremor for dizziness before realizing the building was shaking.
“I just thought I was dizzy,” she recalled. Many fled their offices and gathered in open spaces, waiting for confirmation that it was safe to return.
Panic and Destruction Across the Region
The earthquake’s tremors extended into China’s Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, damaging homes and injuring residents.
Videos from Ruili, a border city, showed debris scattered on the streets and emergency teams rushing to transport the injured. In Mangshi, another affected city, the shaking was so intense that people struggled to stay on their feet.
In Bangkok, lawyer Voranoot Thirawat recounted how she and her colleagues ran down 12 flights of stairs after noticing a swinging light and hearing the building creak. “In my lifetime, there was no earthquake like this in Bangkok,” she said.
Tourists and residents flooded into public parks and streets as skyscrapers swayed and pools of water cascaded from rooftop swimming areas. Paul Vincent, a British visitor, described witnessing people “crying in the streets” as panic spread.
Emergency teams continue to search for survivors, particularly in areas with collapsed buildings. In Bangkok, a construction worker was killed when debris from the high-rise collapse struck his truck, while another was crushed by falling rubble.
First responders have rescued seven people so far, but dozens remain unaccounted for.
Myanmar faces additional challenges due to its ongoing conflict, making aid distribution and rescue operations even more difficult.
The extent of the devastation is still unfolding, with fears that many more may be trapped beneath the wreckage.
