A catastrophic 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Thailand and Myanmar on March 28, 2025, unleashing chaos, collapsing buildings, and triggering widespread panic. The quake’s shallow depth of 10 kilometers amplified its destructive force, with tremors felt across Bangkok, Mandalay, and beyond. Here’s what we know:
Key Updates
🔴 Thailand’s Crisis:
- A high-rise under construction in Bangkok collapsed, sending debris and a crane crashing to the ground. Rescue teams are searching for survivors, but the number of trapped workers remains unclear.
- Rooftop pools overflowed, glass shattered from skyscrapers, and alarms blared as 17 million residents fled buildings. Eyewitnesses described scenes of “apocalyptic” panic, with crowds running down escalators and flooding streets.
- Tourist Fraser Morton recounted: “The whole building started moving—people screamed, and panic spread instantly.”
🔴 Myanmar’s State of Emergency:
- Myanmar’s junta declared a state of emergency in six regions after critical infrastructure, including bridges and highways, was destroyed.
- Historic sites like Mandalay’s royal palace and religious shrines in Naypyidaw crumbled. A 90-year-old bridge in Sagaing collapsed, severing key transport routes.
- In a rare move, the military government requested international humanitarian aid for rescue operations.
🔴 Aftershocks & Risks:
- A 6.4 magnitude aftershock rattled the region shortly after, deepening fears of further damage.
- The US Geological Survey warned of continued seismic activity due to the quake’s shallow depth.
Human Toll
- Casualty numbers are still rising, with authorities scrambling to assess fatalities and injuries.
- Zsuzsanna Vari-Kovacs, a witness, said: “The shaking lasted nearly a minute—much longer than anything I’ve felt before.”
Global Response
- International aid agencies are mobilizing to support relief efforts.
- Authorities in both nations urge residents to avoid unstable buildings and prepare for more aftershocks.