A severe earthquake shook Southeast Asia on Friday morning, March 28, 2025, with its epicenter located in Myanmar. The earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 7.7 according to the Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) in Potsdam and the US Geological Survey (USGS), caused widespread panic and destruction across several countries in the region.
The tremors were felt as far away as Thailand, Vietnam, and China, leading to significant damage and loss of life. In Myanmar, reports indicate that at least 15 people have died, with casualties stemming from the collapse of a mosque and a monastery. In the city of Mandalay, ten individuals lost their lives when a mosque fell during a service, while five people, including children, perished when a monastery in Taungoo collapsed, where displaced individuals were sheltered.
The earthquake struck approximately 50 kilometers east of Monywa in central Myanmar, with its focus at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. Eyewitness accounts from Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar, described the earthquake as extremely strong, with one resident stating, "The people next to me were all terrified," as he experienced the quake from the 20th floor of a building.
In response to the disaster, a state of emergency has been declared across six regions in Myanmar, including the capital Naypyidaw, where religious shrines were damaged and parts of buildings collapsed.
As the earthquake's impact reverberated through the region, Thailand also faced its own challenges. In Bangkok, a high-rise building under construction collapsed near the popular Chatuchak market, resulting in one confirmed death and around 50 injuries. The National Institute for Emergency Medicine (Niem) reported that at least 43 people were trapped in the building at the time of its collapse, with only seven managing to escape.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared a state of emergency for the capital and convened a crisis meeting to assess the extent of the damage. Reports indicated that alarm sirens blared across the city as thousands of residents fled skyscrapers and hotels in a panic, seeking safety in the streets. The tremors were so intense that water splashed out of swimming pools, and videos circulating on social media captured the moment the building crumbled, sending plumes of dust into the air.
Fraser Morton, a tourist from Scotland, recounted his experience while shopping in a Bangkok mall when the earthquake struck. "Suddenly, the whole building started moving; there was immediate screaming and panic," he said. Morton noted that people were running in the wrong direction down the escalators, creating chaos in the mall.
In addition to the destruction in Myanmar and Thailand, the earthquake was felt in parts of China, particularly in the Yunnan province. Reports from Chinese state media indicated significant tremors in cities like Kunming, Lijiang, and Dali, with local disaster response officials in Ruili reporting damage to homes and injuries.
As the situation continues to unfold, India has offered assistance to both Myanmar and Thailand, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concern for the affected regions. He stated on social media, "India is ready to offer all possible support." The tremors were also felt in parts of Bangladesh and India, including the northeastern state of Manipur, where panic ensued among residents.
With the scale of destruction still being assessed, the full impact of this devastating earthquake remains unclear. It serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of Southeast Asia to such natural disasters, with historical precedents illustrating the often catastrophic consequences of earthquakes in the region. Past events have led to thousands of fatalities and left entire populations homeless, highlighting the urgent need for disaster preparedness and response.
The people of Myanmar and neighboring countries are now facing the aftermath of this tragedy, with rescue operations underway and many still trapped under debris. As the region grapples with the consequences of this earthquake, the international community watches closely, ready to respond to the humanitarian needs that will undoubtedly arise in the coming days.
