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A massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, killing at least 152 people and leaving hundreds injured. The quake, centered near Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay, caused widespread destruction, including collapsed buildings, bridges, and a dam. A strong 6.4-magnitude aftershock followed, further worsening the devastation.
Myanmar was hit hardest, with at least 144 dead and 730 injured, according to military leader Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing. Damage was severe in cities like Mandalay and Naypyidaw, where buildings crumbled, trapping victims under rubble. Rescue operations face significant challenges, including impassable roads and a dire need for blood donations.
In Thailand, at least eight people were killed in Bangkok, where a 33-story building under construction collapsed in a cloud of dust. Three were confirmed dead at the site, with 90 still missing. The quake sent shockwaves through the capital, causing widespread panic as buildings swayed and thousands evacuated onto the streets.
Myanmar’s military government declared a state of emergency in six regions, though the country has already been in turmoil due to civil war. Humanitarian aid efforts are struggling to reach affected areas, where millions were already in need before the disaster.
The tremors were also felt in China’s Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, where injuries and building damage were reported. As emergency response teams mobilize, the death toll is expected to rise, leaving both nations grappling with the devastation.
Earthquake sum up 3pm (Mynamar/Thailand)
— Florian Witulski (@vaitor) March 28, 2025
- 7.7 quake hit near Mandalay/Myanmar
- Hundreds of homes collapsed (various Myanmar cities)
- Strong shocks in Thailand + multiple building collapse in Bangkok
- USGS predicts thousands of people dead
(Bangkok clips from social media:) pic.twitter.com/kJodTn6BIg
With information from the Associated Press.
