Bangkok, Mar 28 (EFE).- A powerful magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday afternoon and was felt around the region, with scores feared dead and at least three people killed in Bangkok, where a state of emergency was declared.
The tremor struck at 12:50pm local time (06:20 GMT) at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city and home to 1.2 million people, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS.)
An injured person is carried to a stretcher as rescuers search for survivors in damaged government staff housing buildings following an earthquake in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, 28 March 2025. EFE/EPA/NYEIN CHAN NAING
Myanmar’s military junta made a rare call for international help as it declared a state of emergency in six areas of the country: Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, northeastern Shan State, Naypyidaw and Bago.
The extent of the damage and casualties in Myanmar was slow to emerge, but reports and photos showed dozens of wounded, many covered in dust and laying on hospital beds.
Hospitals across Mandalay, Sagaing, and Naypyitaw were filling up and some fires were observed, Myanmar Now reported, adding that a junta spokesperson appealed for blood donations.
Humanitarian sources on the ground told EFE that many buildings collapsed in Mandalay, while a monastery crumbled in the city of Taungoo, trapping 20 children. A bridge also collapsed in Sagaing.
Rescuers search for survivors in damaged government staff housing buildings after an earthquake in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, 28 March 2025. EFE/EPA/NYEIN CHAN NAING
Afrhill Rances, Asia Pacific regional communications director for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, told EFE that there is no electricity in most of the affected areas and therefore difficult to know the extent of the damage, and that they are trying to coordinate the response with the Red Cross in Myanmar.
The tremor was felt throughout the country, including in Yangon, the country’s main city where buildings were evacuated. It was also reportedly felt in India and China.
Thailand state of emergency
In neighboring Thailand, a state of emergency was declared in capital Bangkok by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra due to the damage caused by the strong shaking.
“I was working in the back of the store, but my colleagues called me saying they felt as if they were about to faint, so I went out to see them. When I was rushing to see them, I noticed the lamp swaying,” Bangkok cafe worker Marisa, 27, told EFE. “Once we were out, we saw the nearby building shaking.”
A 29-story building under construction collapsed in the north of Bangkok, killing at least three people, according to the capital’s Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. About 83 people were trapped at the site.
The exact number of fatalities is still unknown as emergency workers, including soldiers with search dogs, attended the mountain of rubble and twisted metal into the night. Paetongtarn also visited the site with two ministers.
Buildings across the capital were evacuated, with water sloshing out of highrise swimming pools and cracks visible throughout buildings. The skytrain system was also suspended, as was trading at the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
Rescue workers search for survivors at the site of a collapsed building following an earthquake in Bangkok, Thailand, 28 March 2025. EFE/EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT
Governor Chadchart ordered the immediate establishment of an earthquake response command center. Thai authorities issued a no-fly zone across the country and suspended flights following the tremor, with Bangkok’s main Suvarnabhumi International Airport reopening when operations were deemed safe to resume.
The Thai Meteorological Department warned the population to take necessary precautions and stay outdoors. It said there had been at least 16 aftershocks as of 5:29pm local time, most ranging from M5 to M3. The largest was M6.4, according to USGS.
European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the disaster was “heartbreaking” and pledged .
“Heartbreaking scenes from Myanmar and Thailand after the devastating earthquake. My thoughts are with the victims & their families. Europe’s Copernicus satellites are already helping first responders. We are ready to provide more . We stand with you in full solidarity,” she said on X.
Myanmar is located near an area of high tectonic activity due to the pressure between the Indian subcontinent plate to the south and the Eurasian plate to the north. However, Friday’s earthquake is one of the strongest recorded in recent years. In August 2016, a M6.8 earthquake struck the country. EFE
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