A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit Myanmar on Friday, shaking the very heart of a nation already battered by prolonged conflict. The seismic event triggered significant destruction, affecting buildings hundreds of miles away in neighboring Thailand, where officials swiftly declared an “emergency zone” in the capital, Bangkok.
Footage shared on social media captured the panic as residents in both Myanmar and Thailand fled from swaying buildings, enveloped in clouds of dust. In the bustling streets of Bangkok, traffic came to an abrupt halt, and citizens rushed to safety. Tremors from the earthquake were also felt as far as Yunnan province in southwestern China, which shares a border with Myanmar.
In response to the devastation, Myanmar's military junta declared an “emergency situation” in several regions, particularly in Mandalay—the nation’s second most populous city—and the strategically important capital of Naypyidaw. Reports from the town of Taungoo, located approximately 70 miles south of Naypyidaw, indicated that three individuals lost their lives when a mosque partially collapsed, prompting local authorities to initiate rescue operations.
In Thailand, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared an “emergency zone” after the earthquake caused the collapse of an under-construction high-rise, resulting in at least one death and injuring around 50 others. The National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEM) in Bangkok confirmed that rescuers are working swiftly to locate dozens of individuals believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.
Myanmar has been grappling with more than four years of civil war following a violent military coup that has devastated its economy and infrastructure. With ongoing battles between junta forces and various rebel groups, the nation struggles to cope with such a major natural disaster. Myanmar is among the poorest countries in Asia, and its weak infrastructure significantly hampers its ability to respond effectively to calamities.
The earthquake struck around 12:50 p.m. local time, near Mandalay, which is home to approximately 1.5 million people and several historic temple complexes. Following the initial quake, several aftershocks occurred, including a notable 6.4 magnitude tremor, as reported by the United States Geological Survey.
The epicenter was identified in Myanmar’s central Sagaing region, an area severely impacted by the ongoing civil conflict. The region is primarily rural, with many structures constructed from wood and thatch, making them particularly vulnerable to seismic activity. Communication lines are often disrupted due to intermittent clashes, complicating efforts to assess damage.
Many residents in Mandalay reported witnessing buildings collapse. One anonymous witness recounted seeing a five-story building fall, while another individual, Htet Naing Oo, described the scene at a tea shop where several patrons were trapped when the structure crumbled. In Yangon, Myanmar's commercial hub situated about 380 miles from the epicenter, residents shared their experiences of the quake, describing the strong tremors and the urgency to evacuate buildings.
One Yangon resident named Wang, who was on the 20th floor during the quake, expressed the sheer terror felt by those around her: “People next to me were all scared to death. The quake felt so strong and lasted really long.” Following the tremors, phone networks were briefly disrupted in Yangon, affecting communication for the city's 8 million residents.
Video footage obtained from Myanmar showed a road bridge spanning the Irrawaddy River in Mandalay collapsing into the water, shrouded in dust and debris. In Thailand, residents in cities like Chiang Mai also reported feeling the tremors, prompting immediate evacuations.
As the situation develops, Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport confirmed operations were running as usual, reassuring travelers just two hours after the quake. This story remains ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
