At least 144 people were killed and more than 730 injured after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar near the city of Mandalay, according to the head of the country’s military government. A strong aftershock of 6.4 magnitude also hit Myanmar, with tremors felt across Thailand and in China on Friday.
The tremor struck at 12:50 pm local time, with its epicentre located 16 kilometres northwest of Sagaing city at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres. Moments after the initial shock, a 6.4 magnitude aftershock further intensified the disaster, sending buildings crumbling and sending panic through densely populated areas.
In Naypyidaw, the country’s capital, a major hospital quickly became overwhelmed. A doctor, speaking anonymously, reported at least 20 deaths had already been recorded, with many more injured streaming into medical facilities. The human toll continued to mount as reports emerged from across the region – a mosque collapsed in Taungoo, killing two people, while a hotel in Aungban crumbled, claiming two more lives and injuring 20.
The earthquake’s power reached far beyond Myanmar’s borders. In Thailand, the devastation was equally dramatic. Bangkok trembled as a 30-story building under construction collapsed, trapping 43 workers. The city ground to a halt, with public transport shut down and the Stock Exchange suspending all trading.
Across Southeast Asia, people felt the earth move. Tremors rippled through China’s Yunnan province, Cambodia, India, and Bangladesh, a testament to the earthquake’s immense power.
Myanmar’s infrastructure bore the brunt of the destruction. The iconic 90-year-old Ava Bridge partially collapsed into the Irrawaddy River. Critical transportation routes – including railway and road bridges on the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway – were torn apart. At the National Museum in Naypyidaw, ceiling pieces rained down as the building shook violently.
The disaster exposed Myanmar’s deep vulnerabilities. Located on the seismically active Sagaing Fault, the country sits at the collision point of tectonic plates. Years of rapid, unplanned urbanisation have resulted in buildings that offer little protection against such geological forces. The situation is further complicated by the country’s political instability following the 2021 military coup, which has left Myanmar isolated and ill-prepared for large-scale emergencies.
Rescue efforts are underway, but the challenges are significant. The Red Cross reports that damaged power lines are hampering rescue teams’ ability to reach critical areas in Mandalay and Sagaing. The country’s shadow government has made urgent pleas for international assistance, with Zin Mar Aung, the shadow foreign minister, describing the situation as “very serious” and calling for humanitarian support.
Despite the political tensions, international support is emerging. Leaders from India, France, and the European Union have offered assistance, providing a glimmer of hope amid widespread devastation.
Bangkok’s Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has warned of potential aftershocks but urged citizens to remain calm. As rescue efforts continue and the full extent of the damage becomes clear, the earthquake stands as a stark reminder of nature’s destructive power and the fragility of human infrastructure.
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