Myanmar Earthquakes Kills 25, Government Seeks International Aid

Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.7 and 6.4 on the Richter scale, struck Myanmar on Friday, claiming at least 25 lives and leaving a trail of destruction, including the collapse of the iconic Ava Bridge in Mandalay. The tremors, felt as far as Bangkok and parts of India, prompted Thailand to declare a state of emergency after a skyscraper collapse trapped dozens.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the first quake, a 7.7-magnitude tremor, hit central Myanmar at 11:50 AM IST, with its epicentre 50 km east of Monywa near Sagaing. A 6.4-magnitude aftershock followed minutes later. The shallow depth of 10 km intensified the damage, collapsing buildings and the historic Ava Bridge into the Irrawaddy River.

In Mandalay, 20 people were killed when a mosque crumbled, while in Taungoo, five died, including children, after a monastery sheltering war refugees collapsed, local media reported.

The tremors reached Thailand, causing widespread panic in Bangkok, 900 km away. An under-construction skyscraper in the Chatuchak district collapsed, trapping 43 workers and injuring dozens, with three deaths confirmed. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared a state of emergency, cutting short her Phuket visit to hold an urgent meeting.

Metro and rail services in Bangkok were halted as residents evacuated swaying buildings. “I ran as far as I could in my pyjamas,” said Duangjai, a Chiang Mai resident, to AFP.

ALSO READ | Thailand PM Declares ‘Emergency’ in Bangkok As Massive Earthquakes Strike Myanmar

The quakes’ effects rippled across borders. China’s Yunnan province recorded tremors, with the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) reporting a magnitude of 7.9. In India, Meghalaya’s East Garo Hills felt a 4.0-magnitude aftershock. Vietnam’s Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City also reported strong shaking, though no major damage was noted. Social media videos captured the terror, showing buildings trembling and debris falling in Myanmar and Thailand.

Myanmar’s military junta, in power since the 2021 coup, declared a state of emergency across six regions and made a rare appeal for international aid. A major hospital in Naypyidaw turned into a “mass casualty area” as the injured overwhelmed facilities. A fire at Mandalay University added to fears of further casualties. An official from Myanmar’s Fire Services Department said, “We’re searching for survivors, but the situation is dire.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern over the disaster. “Concerned by the situation in the wake of the Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. India stands ready to offer all possible assistance,” he posted on X, instructing the Ministry of External Affairs to coordinate with both governments. India’s authorities have been placed on standby to assist as needed.

Myanmar’s location along the Sagaing Fault makes it prone to earthquakes. A 6.8-magnitude quake in Bagan in 2016 killed three and damaged historic sites. The current disaster, amid a civil war and strained medical system, poses significant challenges for recovery. Thailand, though less seismically active, felt the unprecedented force of these distant tremors.

Rescue operations continue in Bangkok to free trapped workers, while Myanmar assesses the full toll of the disaster. With 25 confirmed dead, 43 missing, and many injured, the focus is on saving lives and restoring order. Updates on casualties and international aid efforts are expected soon.