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A powerful earthquake and subsequent aftershocks struck Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand on Friday, killing several people and trapping dozens under rubble as multiple buildings collapsed.
Rescuers work at the site of a collapsed building after the tremors of a strong earthquake that struck central Myanmar on Friday affected Bangkok. (Photo: Reuters)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Mar 28, 2025 19:37 IST
Buildings got toppled and bridges collapsed and historic structures were damaged after a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake, followed by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock, struck Myanmar on Friday. The tremors were also felt in neighbouring Thailand, where an under-construction building collapsed, trapping over 80 people.
Officials confirmed five deaths in Myanmar and three in Bangkok, while Myanmar's shadow government has said 12 people died. However, unconfirmed reports indicate that the actual death toll could be significantly higher.
The ruling military junta in Myanmar has declared a state of emergency in several areas, with the government reporting a high demand for blood in the hardest-hit regions. However, information about the extent of destruction and the death toll remains unclear. Visuals circulating on social media showed several destroyed houses and cracked roads.
The epicentre was about 17.2 km from the Myanmar city of Mandalay, which has a population of about 1.5 million.
In Myanmar, at least three people were killed in the town of Taungoo when a mosque partially collapsed. The local media reported that at least two people died and 20 were injured after a hotel collapsed in Aung Ban. Unconfirmed reports suggest that over 20 have been killed across the country.
Thai officials confirmed three deaths from the quake. At least one person was killed, and dozens of workers were rescued from under the rubble of a skyscraper that was under construction in Bangkok. Around 80 people are still believed to be trapped, and a massive rescue operation is underway.
According to state media in Myanmar, the earthquake caused the collapse of buildings in five cities and towns, as well as a railway bridge and a road bridge on the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway. The iconic 90-year-old Ava Bridge in Mandalay collapsed into the Irrawaddy River following the powerful earthquake. Visuals have also surfaced showing a collapsed clock tower and damaged sections of the historic Mandalay Palace.
The humanitarian agency Red Cross has raised concerns about the condition of large dams in Myanmar and confirmed severe damage to public infrastructure, with the country's northwest being the most affected. "Public infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and public buildings, has been damaged. We are particularly concerned about large-scale dams, and people are closely monitoring their condition," said Marie Manrique, a senior Red Cross official.
Myanmar has declared a state of emergency in six regions, including Sagaing, Mandalay, and the capital Naypyitaw, following a powerful earthquake on Friday. Authorities are prioritising rescue operations, but with several bridges damaged, reaching multiple affected areas -- home to thousands of internally displaced people -- has become a challenging task.
In the Mandalay Region, a tea shop collapsed, leaving several people trapped inside. Locals informed the news agency that they were unable to enter due to the "very bad" situation. Meanwhile, a hotel in Shan State was reduced to rubble, with reports indicating that two people had died and 20 others were trapped.
In the Thai capital, panic-stricken people rushed onto the streets, including hotel guests in bathrobes and swimwear, as water poured down from an elevated pool at a luxury hotel. The Stock Exchange of Thailand suspended all trading activities for the Friday afternoon session, and metro services in the city were also disrupted.
Devastation across the city of Mandalay in Myanmar, as a result of today’s 7.7 magnitude earthquake, with dozens of buildings having collapsed as well as the Ava Bridge over the Irrawaddy River. pic.twitter.com/8YE8KsxXws
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 28, 2025 Tremors were also felt in several parts of Bangladesh, including Dhaka and Chattogram, though no casualties have been reported so far. Similarly, strong tremors were experienced in southwest China's Yunnan province, which borders Myanmar, but no casualties have been reported there either, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.
Mild tremors were also felt in Kolkata, Imphal and Meghalaya’s East Garo Hills district. However, according to official sources, there were no reports of damage to property or loss of life in the city due to the tremor.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed concern over the devastating earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand, and said India stands ready to offer all possible assistance to the two countries. "India stands ready to offer all possible assistance. In this regard, asked our authorities to be on standby. Also asked the MEA to remain in touch with the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand," he said.
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Published On:
Mar 28, 2025
