A powerful earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, causing extensive destruction in one of the world’s poorest nations and raising fears that the death toll, initially reported to be over 140, might escalate. In Thailand, the quake resulted in at least six fatalities in Bangkok, where a high-rise structure under construction came crashing down.
The full impact of casualties and damage remains uncertain, especially in Myanmar, a country gripped by civil war where information is tightly controlled. Myanmar’s military leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, conveyed that at least 144 people were dead and 730 others were injured. The death toll is expected to increase in the days ahead.
In Bangkok, authorities revised their initial death toll down from 10 to six, also reporting 22 injuries and 101 people missing from construction sites, including the collapsed high-rise. Efforts to find survivors continued amid hopes more people could be discovered alive under the debris.
The earthquake, registering a magnitude of 7.7, had its epicenter near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, and was followed by a strong aftershock measuring 6.4. This region is part of an active earthquake belt, but such earthquakes usually occur away from populated city areas. Despite the U.S. Geological Survey estimating the potential death toll could exceed 1,000, the areas hardest hit have yet to reveal the full scale of human and infrastructural loss.
In Mandalay, numerous buildings were reportedly leveled, including significant religious structures. Images and reports from the capital Naypyidaw indicated extensive rescue operations as victims were pulled from damaged government housing.
Myanmar’s government called for blood donations for the disaster-stricken areas and displayed openness to foreign assistance, a departure from previous experiences. Assistance arrived rapidly, with a Chinese team from Yunnan province arriving to help, along with Russian, Indian, and Malaysian teams on the ground, offering various supplies and aid. The United Nations allocated initial relief funds while President Donald Trump expressed willingness for U.S. support, though experts expressed concerns about the administration’s foreign aid policies.
Challenges loom as devastated areas could be months away from receiving full aid, given the pre-existing humanitarian crisis and logistical issues such as shattered infrastructure like roads, bridges, and burst dams compounding the struggles.
In Myanmar, bridge collapses and building damage extended through multiple cities, while a burst dam heightened flooding threats. Public fear escalated in the populous city of Yangon. Amidst the destruction, civilians wrestled with immense loss as the earthquake compounded difficulties in a nation already in turmoil.
In Bangkok, a dramatic collapse of a 33-story building added to the chaos. Videos showed massive clouds of dust enveloping the area and onlookers in panic. Emergency responders rushed to manage the aftermath as concerns brewed over high-rise safety in a city not accustomed to significant seismic activity.
The earthquake’s impact extended into China, affecting areas near the Myanmar border, causing injuries, and damaging infrastructure. The shallow nature of the earthquake, as reported by geological surveys, often results in more severe destruction, explaining the broad reach and extensive damage.
In the wake of such widespread devastation, the situation remains fluid, with rescue and relief efforts working tirelessly to assess and address the humanitarian needs stemming from this catastrophic natural disaster.