A devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck central Myanmar on a Friday, unleashing shock waves that reverberated throughout Southeast Asia and even into parts of China. This catastrophic event has caused significant loss of life and widespread damage across the region.
As of Saturday, the death toll had surpassed 1,600, and more than 3,400 individuals had been injured, according to reports from Myanmar’s military government. Tragically, these figures were expected to rise as rescue operations continued and the true extent of the disaster became clearer. The earthquake’s impacts reached far beyond Myanmar’s borders. In Thailand, several hundred miles away from the epicenter, a high-rise building that was still under construction in Bangkok collapsed, killing at least nine people and leaving many more missing.
Myanmar, which is already embroiled in a civil conflict, faces further devastation. Nearly 20 million people are already suffering from a lack of basic necessities like food and shelter due to ongoing internal strife. The military regime’s imposition of censorship has complicated efforts to understand the full scale of the damage. Despite these challenges, some information regarding the devastation in Thailand and other countries began to emerge over time.
Epicenter and Earthquake Details
The earthquake’s epicenter was located near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, occurring at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time. Just 11 minutes after the initial shock, an aftershock hit the same area, compounding the destruction. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake struck at a relatively shallow depth of around six miles. Earthquakes that occur at shallow depths tend to produce stronger, more violent shaking, and the damage in affected areas was significant as a result.
Myanmar is located on the eastern edge of the Alpide Belt, one of the world’s most active seismic zones. As a result, the region experiences frequent seismic activity. The country’s central region, where large plates of the Earth’s crust are in motion, is particularly vulnerable to powerful quakes. In fact, the USGS database records at least three previous instances of earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 7.7 in Myanmar during the past century, including a major quake in 1988.
The earthquake struck near the Sagaing Fault, a major geological feature that runs north-south through Myanmar. This fault is one of the most active in the region and was the likely cause of Friday’s catastrophic event.
Affected Countries
While Myanmar was undoubtedly the hardest-hit country, neighboring nations also felt the impact of the earthquake. The city of Mandalay, the closest major urban area to the epicenter, has an estimated population of 1.5 million. The tremors were felt across much of Myanmar, with significant destruction in the affected areas.
In neighboring Thailand, the earthquake was felt with particular intensity in Bangkok, the capital city, which is home to roughly 11 million people. Authorities in Bangkok quickly declared an “area of emergency,” urging residents to evacuate tall buildings as a precaution against aftershocks. The city’s elevated train service was temporarily suspended as part of the safety measures, and many people fled high-rise buildings as a result of the tremors.
In China, reports from Yunnan Province, which shares a border with Myanmar, confirmed damage to buildings in the border city of Ruili. While the shaking was also felt in neighboring Bangladesh, no immediate reports of significant damage emerged from the country.
Casualties and Destruction
As the full scope of the damage began to unfold, the death toll continued to rise. Myanmar’s military government confirmed that by Saturday, 1,644 people had lost their lives due to the earthquake, while 3,408 others had sustained injuries. However, the actual toll was expected to increase further as rescue operations progressed, and more bodies were recovered from collapsed structures. Given the severity of the damage, estimates from the USGS suggested that the final death toll could exceed 10,000 people.
The destruction in Mandalay was particularly severe. Historic landmarks such as the Ava Bridge, which dates back to the 1930s and was built by the British, were significantly damaged. The quake also inflicted serious damage to Myanmar’s ancient temples and religious structures, reducing centuries-old monuments to rubble.
The impact in Thailand was also significant. In Bangkok, a high-rise building under construction collapsed, killing at least nine individuals and leaving many others trapped in the wreckage. Dozens of people were feared to be buried under the debris. As the city grappled with the aftermath, emergency response teams worked tirelessly to locate survivors. The elevated train service in the city was shut down for safety reasons, and many residents fled from tall buildings to avoid potential aftershocks.
International Response and Aid
The central region of Myanmar, which was closest to the epicenter, has been the most heavily impacted. This area is under the control of the military junta, and in the past, the regime has been reluctant to accept international assistance in the aftermath of disasters. When Cyclone Mocha struck Myanmar in 2023, for example, the military government initially declined international aid, preferring to manage the crisis without external assistance. This approach has led to severe challenges in coordinating effective relief efforts, particularly in regions not controlled by the junta.
However, in a rare move, the Myanmar government made an official appeal for international help following Friday’s earthquake, declaring a state of emergency in six regions of the country. Despite the military’s history of reluctance in requesting foreign aid, the magnitude of the disaster prompted the junta to make an exception. As a result, international aid began arriving on Saturday.
Countries like China and India quickly mobilized to provide assistance. China sent food, blankets, and rescue teams equipped with drones and specialized search and rescue tools. India also provided essential supplies and personnel to support relief efforts. The United States, under President Donald Trump, expressed solidarity with Myanmar and pledged to send assistance, despite the ongoing reduction in foreign aid funding and diplomatic staff. Several other countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and others, offered support in the form of financial aid, personnel, and equipment to assist with the relief efforts.
The earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday is one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in recent history for the country. With a death toll exceeding 1,600 and thousands more injured, the effects of this disaster will be felt for years to come. The limited information available due to the Myanmar government’s censorship and the country’s ongoing civil conflict makes it difficult to fully assess the scope of the destruction. Still, the outpouring of international aid provides a glimmer of hope for the survivors.
As rescue teams continue to search for survivors and efforts to rebuild begin, the full scale of the damage will likely continue to unfold in the coming days and weeks. In the meantime, Myanmar remains in the midst of a humanitarian crisis that, in addition to the earthquake, includes the ongoing challenges of food scarcity, displacement, and internal conflict.
