A powerful earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, March 28, 2025, registering a magnitude of 7.7 and causing significant devastation across several cities, including Mandalay and Naypyidaw. The tremors were felt as far away as Bangkok, Thailand, where buildings swayed and one construction site collapsed, trapping dozens of workers.
The earthquake hit at 12:50 local time (6:20 GMT) at a depth of 10 kilometers, with the epicenter located approximately 17 kilometers from Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, with a population of 1.2 million. Reports indicate that many structures in Mandalay collapsed, while a monastery in Taungoo fell, trapping 20 children beneath the rubble.
In Sagaing, a major bridge was completely submerged, isolating communities and complicating rescue efforts. The earthquake's impact was also felt in Ragun, where residents evacuated buildings as a precaution. In Thailand, the tremor was strong enough to cause panic, leading to the evacuation of residential and office buildings in Bangkok, located over 600 kilometers from the epicenter.
Emergency services in Bangkok reported that a building under construction collapsed, trapping approximately 50 workers inside. As rescuers worked frantically to locate survivors, reports confirmed that at least one person had died, with many others injured. The Thai Meteorological Department warned residents of possible aftershocks following the initial quake.
The aftermath of the earthquake has left a trail of destruction. In Naypyidaw, images show damaged pagodas and crumbling infrastructure. A large crane was seen precariously hanging from a building facade, while pools on rooftops overflowed due to the seismic activity, creating additional chaos in the streets below.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with authorities declaring a state of emergency in several affected areas. The military junta in Myanmar has mobilized resources to assist those impacted, while humanitarian organizations are assessing the situation and preparing to deliver aid.
As the dust settles and the scale of the disaster becomes clearer, the need for international assistance is evident. Prior to the earthquake, about 20 million people in Myanmar were already vulnerable, and this disaster exacerbates an already dire humanitarian crisis. The United Nations has called for urgent support to help those affected by the earthquake.
Witnesses described terrifying scenes as the earth shook violently. In Bangkok, many fled to parks and open spaces, fearing further tremors. Videos circulating on social media captured the panic, showing people running for safety as water cascaded from rooftop pools, adding to the confusion.
The earthquake is one of the most severe to hit the region in recent years, with experts noting that Myanmar lies near a tectonic plate boundary, making it susceptible to seismic activity. The last major quake in the country was a magnitude 6.8 event in August 2016.
As rescue workers continue their efforts, the full extent of the damage remains to be seen. Local authorities are conducting damage assessments, and the Disaster Management Committee has activated humanitarian aid operations to assist those in need. The situation is evolving, and updates will follow as further information becomes available.
This earthquake serves as a stark reminder of the region's vulnerability to natural disasters and the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of such challenges. As communities begin to assess the damage and mourn their losses, the road to recovery will be long and arduous.
