A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday afternoon, sending shockwaves across the region and causing significant damage in neighboring Thailand. The quake, which hit northwest of Sagaing at a shallow depth, was followed by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock minutes later, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
In Bangkok, a 30-story under-construction government building collapsed, trapping at least 43 workers under the rubble. Emergency teams rushed to the scene, where footage shared on social media showed twisted metal and concrete debris scattered across the site.
“When I arrived to inspect the site, I heard people calling for help,” said Worapat Sukthai, deputy police chief of Bang Sue district. “We estimate that hundreds of people are injured, but we are still working to determine the number of casualties.”
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared a state of emergency in Bangkok, suspending metro and light rail services as authorities assessed the extent of the damage. The prime minister cut short an official visit to Phuket to hold an urgent emergency meeting.
Panic and Chaos Across Myanmar
In Myanmar, the tremors caused widespread panic in the capital, Naypyidaw. A team of AFP journalists inside the National Museum reported that pieces of the ceiling fell as staff ran outside in fear, some visibly shaken and tearful. Roads in the capital cracked under the force of the earthquake, making it difficult for emergency vehicles to reach hospitals.
A 1,000-bed hospital in Naypyidaw was overwhelmed with injured patients, with many being treated outside due to overcrowding. Ambulances struggled to navigate jammed streets, as paramedics pleaded for vehicles to clear the way.
“This is a mass casualty event,” a hospital official stated, as victims writhed in pain while medics administered IV drips on the pavement.
The tremors sent residents fleeing their homes across Myanmar and northern Thailand. In Chiang Mai, a popular tourist city in Thailand, locals recounted their terrifying experiences.
“I was sleeping when I suddenly heard a loud noise. I ran outside in my pajamas as fast as I could,” said Duangjai, a resident of Chiang Mai.
Sai, a 76-year-old minimart worker, described the moment the quake struck. “The shop started shaking, and I rushed out along with other customers. This is the strongest tremor I’ve ever felt in my life.”
Widespread Aftershocks and Concerns Over Infrastructure
Tremors from the earthquake were also felt in China’s southwestern Yunnan province, where Beijing’s earthquake agency measured the jolt at 7.9 in magnitude.
Myanmar, located along the seismically active Sagaing Fault, has experienced several major earthquakes in the past. Between 1930 and 1956, six quakes of 7.0 magnitude or higher struck the region. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake in 2016 killed three people and damaged historic temples in Bagan, a popular tourist destination.
Experts warn that Myanmar’s rapid urban development, aging infrastructure, and lack of stringent building regulations have made its cities highly vulnerable to natural disasters. The country’s struggling healthcare system, especially in rural areas, is expected to face major challenges in the aftermath of the quake.
Rescue efforts are ongoing in both Myanmar and Thailand, with emergency teams racing against time to locate survivors amid the destruction. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant as aftershocks continue to rattle the region.
