Massive earthquake hits Myanmar, Thailand; over 150 dead, hundreds injured

A powerful earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, killing more than 150 people and injuring hundreds, with many still trapped in collapsed buildings. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue.

The 7.7-magnitude quake, followed by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock, hit northwest of Sagaing in central Myanmar. It flattened buildings, destroyed bridges, and cracked roads across large parts of the country, while a 30-story skyscraper under construction in Bangkok, Thailand, collapsed.

Myanmar’s junta leader Min Aung Hlaing confirmed 144 deaths and 732 injuries, warning the toll would likely increase. He made a rare appeal for international aid, urging assistance in the disaster’s aftermath. In Thailand, eight deaths were reported, with officials fearing the numbers could climb as search efforts progress.

“We need massive relief efforts,” Min Aung Hlaing said in a televised address after visiting a hospital in Naypyidaw. “I would like to invite any country or organization to come and help.”

Civil war compounds Myanmar’s challenges

The ongoing civil war, which began after Myanmar’s military seized power four years ago, has severely weakened the country’s infrastructure and healthcare system. A state of emergency has been declared across the six worst-affected regions.

The World Health Organization described the earthquake as a “very, very big threat to life and health.” Hundreds of victims arrived at a hospital in Naypyidaw, where the emergency entrance had collapsed.

In Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, several buildings, including a hospital and a hotel, were reduced to rubble, according to reports. Rescue teams have struggled to reach survivors due to a shortage of personnel and equipment.

Skyscraper collapse in Thailand

Across the border in Thailand, a 30-story skyscraper under construction collapsed in Bangkok, killing eight and leaving dozens more unaccounted for. Officials estimate between 90 and 110 people are still trapped under the rubble.

“We see several bodies under the debris, but removing them safely will take time,” Thailand’s Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said. “Rescue workers are working carefully to avoid further collapses.”

Rescue operations continued through the night as floodlights illuminated the scene. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visited the site, declaring that every building in Bangkok would need to be inspected for safety.

🔴 #UPDATE — Earthquake reportedly causes part of historic Mandalay Palace wall to collapse pic.twitter.com/LaOjQR6yzo

— Türkiye Today (@turkiyetodaycom) March 28, 2025

Widespread regional impact

The earthquake was felt across much of Southeast Asia, with tremors reported in China, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and India. In Chiang Mai, Thailand, where power briefly went out, residents hurried outside in shock.

“I’ve never experienced anything like this,” said Sai, 76, who fled a minimart in Chiang Mai when the shaking began. “This was the strongest tremor of my life.”

International aid offers have started to pour in, with India, France, and the European Union pledging assistance. The WHO announced it was mobilizing resources from its logistics hub in Dubai to provide trauma supplies. Pope Francis expressed his sorrow, saying he was “deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread devastation.”

Earthquakes are relatively common in Myanmar. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Sagaing Fault, which runs through the center of the country, has produced six major quakes of 7.0 magnitude or higher between 1930 and 1956.

The most recent significant tremor occurred in 2016, when a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck the ancient capital of Bagan, killing three people and damaging historical temples.