A powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, killing over 150 people and injuring hundreds. The tremor, which hit northwest of Sagaing in central Myanmar in the early afternoon, was followed by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock minutes later, causing widespread destruction.
Buildings collapsed, bridges were downed, and roads cracked across large parts of Myanmar. The devastation extended to Thailand, where a 30-storey skyscraper under construction in Bangkok crumbled, killing several people.
Authorities confirmed 144 fatalities in Myanmar, with 732 people injured, though Min Aung Hlaing warned that the toll was “likely to rise.” Eight deaths were reported in Thailand, with officials expecting the number to increase further, news agency AFP reported.
Myanmar Junta Chief Calls for International Aid, Trump Assures Help
In a rare plea, Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing appealed for global assistance, acknowledging the extensive damage caused by the quake. “I would like to invite any country, any organisation, or anyone in Myanmar to come and help. Thank you,” he said in a televised address after visiting a hospital in Naypyidaw.
Amid the destruction, Myanmar’s government declared a state of emergency across six of the worst-hit regions.
Yangon, the country’s largest city, experienced power outages, while reports indicated that the emergency entrance of a hospital in Naypyidaw collapsed onto a car, further complicating rescue efforts. A doctor at the hospital described the situation as overwhelming, telling AFP, “I haven’t seen (something) like this before. We are trying to handle the situation. I’m so exhausted now.”
Governments worldwide extended offers of assistance. The United States, under President Donald Trump, pledged support, while India, France, and the European Union also committed to aid efforts. The World Health Organisation (WHO) stated that it was mobilising trauma injury supplies.
The National Centre for Seismology later confirmed another 4.4-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar.
Dr. OP Mishra, director of the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), told news agency ANI, "It occurred in the longest fault in Myanmar, Sagaing Fault. Its length is 1200 km. This fault has generated several earthquakes in the past of magnitude more than 7. This is not the first earthquake with a magnitude 7... This is a very highly seismic-prone zone where there are greater chances for an earthquake to take place... Its depth was in the shallow range, between 20 and 30 km... When the main shock occurred at 11.50 am, around 12 noon, the earthquake generated an aftershock of magnitude 7... Between 12.30 pm and 1 pm, another aftershock of magnitude 5 occurred. There was an aftershock of 4.9, too. It means that three aftershocks have already occurred."
"The damage in Bangkok, Thailand, occurred because Sagaing Fault's rupture headed towards Bangkok, and several people felt the tremors there. It is the alluvial belt of Bangkok where the chances of liquefaction are quite high. liquefaction... Buildings were not able to withstand it, so there was damage there... Within 24 hours, we will get to know how many aftershocks came," he explained.
Severe Damage in Mandalay
Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, was reportedly among the worst affected. AFP images showed multiple buildings reduced to rubble. A resident told the news agency that both a hospital and a hotel had been destroyed, and the city lacked sufficient rescue personnel.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported that the primary bridge connecting Mandalay and Sagaing had collapsed. The city’s university and historic palace walls also suffered significant damage, and communication networks were disrupted.
Bangkok Skyscraper Collapses, Emergency Declared In City
Across the border in Thailand, a high-rise building under construction in Bangkok came crashing down in a matter of seconds, turning into a heap of rubble and dust. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed that eight bodies had been recovered, and with between 90 to 110 people unaccounted for, the death toll was expected to rise.
“We see several dead bodies under the rubble. We will take time to bring the bodies out to avoid any further collapses,” he told reporters.
Deputy police chief of Bang Sue district, Worapat Sukthai, recounted the desperate cries for help from those trapped. “I heard people calling for help, saying ‘help me’,” he told AFP.
A viral video on social media captured the moment the building, with a crane on top, collapsed near the popular Chatuchak market. A massive cloud of dust rose as onlookers screamed and ran.
As night fell, around 100 rescue workers gathered at the site, conducting search operations under floodlights. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who visited the scene, ordered an inspection of “every building” in Bangkok to assess structural safety, though officials have yet to outline how this will be executed, as per AFP.
Authorities declared an emergency zone in Bangkok, leading to the suspension of some metro and light rail services. The quake caused chaos in the capital, with thousands of commuters forced to walk home or take refuge in malls and office buildings. Parks remained open overnight for residents unable to return home.
A local told ANI, "Everyone is scared, children are hungry...sitting outside the houses... The situation is very bad. The Prime Minister has announced an Emergency...Please, everyone, pray for Bangkok..."
The sound of sirens filled central Bangkok as emergency responders scrambled to assess the full extent of the damage.
Indian Embassy Issues Helpline
The Embassy of India in Bangkok has issued an emergency helpline (+66 618819218) for Indian nationals in Thailand. “After powerful earthquake tremors recorded in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand, the Embassy is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with Thai authorities. So far, no untoward incident involving any Indian citizen has been reported,” the embassy said. “All members of the Indian Embassy in Bangkok and Consulate in Chiang Mai are safe.”
Tremors Felt Across Myanmar's Neighbouring Region
The earthquake was felt across neighbouring countries, including China, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and India. Strong tremors were reported in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai, where residents rushed outdoors in panic. “This is the strongest tremor I’ve experienced in my life,” said 76-year-old Sai, who fled a minimart as the ground shook.
Pope Francis expressed his sorrow over the disaster, with the Vatican publishing a telegram in which he said he was “deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread devastation.”
Myanmar, located along active seismic zones, has experienced major earthquakes in the past. In 2016, a 6.8-magnitude tremor struck the ancient city of Bagan, killing three people and damaging historic temples.