Massive Earthquake Devastates Myanmar and Thailand, Killing Nearly 150

Naypyidaw, Myanmar, 28 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – A devastating earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, claiming nearly 150 lives, injuring hundreds, and leaving dozens trapped in the rubble of collapsed buildings. Officials warn that the death toll is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.

A Catastrophic Tremor

The earthquake, measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, struck northwest of Sagaing, central Myanmar, in the early afternoon. It was swiftly followed by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock, compounding the destruction.

The powerful tremor caused widespread devastation, toppling buildings, destroying bridges, and cracking major roads across Myanmar. In Bangkok, a 30-storey skyscraper under construction crumbled within seconds, highlighting the scale of the disaster, which was felt as far as China, India, and Cambodia.

International Appeal for Aid

Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, announced that 144 people had died and 732 were injured, cautioning that these numbers were likely to rise. Three deaths were confirmed in Thailand.

In a rare move, the junta chief appealed for international humanitarian assistance, stating, “I invite any country, organisation, or individual in Myanmar to come and help. Thank you.” He further urged swift and large-scale relief efforts, declaring, “We have opened all channels for foreign aid.”

State of Emergency Declared

In response to the catastrophe, Myanmar’s government declared a state of emergency across six of the most severely affected regions:

Rescue Efforts and Humanitarian Crisis

Myanmar’s fragile healthcare system, already weakened by four years of civil conflict, has been overwhelmed by the influx of casualties. In Naypyidaw, AFP reporters observed hospital staff treating the injured outside as the hospital’s emergency entrance had collapsed onto a car.

A local doctor described the situation as “a mass casualty area”, stating, “I have never seen such a disaster before. We are doing our best, but resources are stretched thin.”

Meanwhile, rescue workers struggled to extract a mother and son from the ruins of a collapsed building. A Red Cross official noted, “They are seriously injured, but reaching them is proving difficult.”

Thailand’s Skyscraper Collapse

The quake’s impact extended into neighbouring Thailand, where a 30-storey skyscraper under construction in Bangkok crumbled, trapping dozens of workers beneath the debris. Three deaths have been confirmed, with authorities fearing many more could still be buried alive.

Deputy police chief Worapat Sukthai said, “We estimate that hundreds of people are injured. Some are still calling for help.”

Emergency responders, aided by 100 rescue workers, are searching for survivors under floodlights. Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared an emergency zone in Bangkok and announced an immediate inspection of all high-rise buildings in the city.