At least 20 people have been confirmed dead in Myanmar and three more in Thailand after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, causing widespread devastation and triggering a state of emergency in Bangkok.
The rare natural disaster has prompted the military junta in Myanmar to issue an international appeal for humanitarian assistance.
The quake struck near the town of Sagaing around 6:20 GMT, with a strong aftershock of 6.4 magnitude following minutes later, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
It caused extensive structural damage in cities like Naypyidaw, where parts of an emergency hospital wing collapsed, forcing hundreds of wounded to be treated outdoors. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing visited the scene, as chaos unfolded around the overwhelmed medical teams.
“This is a mass casualty zone,” one hospital official told reporters. “We’re doing everything we can.”
Myanmar’s government has declared a state of emergency in six affected regions: Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, Bago, Naypyidaw, and northern Shan State. Blood donations are urgently needed, particularly in Naypyidaw and Mandalay, as reported by AFP via Linternaute.
Impact Across Borders
The tremors were felt across Southeast Asia, including in China, India, Cambodia, and Bangladesh. In Thailand, a 30-story building under construction collapsed in Bangkok, killing at least three people and leaving 81 more trapped beneath the rubble. Rescue operations are ongoing.
Scenes of panic swept through Bangkok, where metro lines were suspended and residents fled into parks, shopping centers, and offices seeking shelter.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared the capital under emergency status and assured the public that the airport remained operational.
Global Response
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that the EU had activated its Copernicus satellite system to aid relief efforts.
France evacuated its diplomatic missions in Bangkok and offered support, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged assistance to both Myanmar and Thailand.
In China’s Yunnan province, near the border with Myanmar, videos showed buildings damaged and people fleeing in fear. One clip captured a torrent of water cascading from a rooftop in Ruili as bystanders screamed, “Run!”
With Myanmar’s fragile infrastructure and under-resourced emergency services, especially in rural areas, experts warn the death toll could rise as assessments continue. The earthquake is one of the strongest to strike Myanmar in decades.
