BANGKOK — A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked Myanmar and neighboring Thailand on Friday, causing widespread devastation. At least 144 people were killed in Myanmar, with over 730 injured, while Thailand reported 10 deaths, 16 injuries, and 101 missing, primarily from the collapse of a high-rise under construction in Bangkok.
Extensive Damage in Myanmar
The earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, at midday, followed by strong aftershocks, including one of 6.4 magnitude. Buildings, bridges, and a monastery were destroyed, with images from Naypyidaw showing rescue crews pulling victims from the rubble of government housing. Blood supplies are in high demand in the hardest-hit areas.
Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing announced Myanmar was prepared to accept international aid, and the United Nations has allocated $5 million for relief efforts. However, damaged roads, a collapsed bridge, and a burst dam have hampered rescue operations. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates the death toll could exceed 1,000.
Monastery and Infrastructure Collapse
Myanmar’s Global New Light newspaper reported collapses in five cities and towns, including two fallen bridges. Video footage showed the multistory Ma Soe Yane monastery in Mandalay suddenly crumbling, while another clip depicted damage to the former royal palace. Christian Aid reported a dam burst in a city, raising water levels in lowland areas.
Already struggling with civil war, Myanmar faces additional challenges in delivering aid to those affected. Over 3 million people have been displaced by conflict, and nearly 20 million are in need of assistance.
Bangkok High-Rise Collapses
In Thailand, the earthquake caused a 33-story building under construction near Bangkok’s Chatuchak market to collapse, sending a cloud of dust into the air. Videos showed onlookers fleeing as vehicles on a nearby freeway came to a halt. Rescue teams rushed to the wreckage, where steel beams and concrete slabs lay in disarray.
Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit described the event as a “great tragedy” but expressed hope that survivors could still be found. The city’s transit systems shut down temporarily, and the shaking was felt across Bangkok, where residents reported swaying buildings and widespread panic.
Impact Beyond Myanmar and Thailand
The earthquake was felt as far as China’s Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, with damage and injuries reported in the border city of Ruili. Chinese media shared videos of debris-littered streets and emergency responders aiding the injured.
Shallow earthquakes like this one, at a depth of just 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), tend to cause extensive damage. As rescue efforts continue, the full scale of the disaster may take weeks to determine.
Contributors: Adam Schreck, Haruka Naga, Jerry Harmer, Grant Peck, Penny Wang (Bangkok); Jamey Keaten (Geneva); Ken Moritsugu (Beijing); Edith M. Lederer, Farnoush Amiri (United Nations); Jennifer Peltz (New York).
