Massive 7.7 Quake Hits Myanmar, Bangkok, Three Dead/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A 7.7 magnitude earthquake and 6.4 aftershock struck Myanmar and Thailand, causing widespread damage. A high-rise collapse in Bangkok killed at least three, while Myanmar declared a state of emergency. The disaster adds pressure to Myanmar’s fragile infrastructure amid ongoing civil war.
Southeast Asia Earthquake Disaster Quick Looks
- 7.7 magnitude earthquake strikes Myanmar near Mandalay
- Aftershock of 6.4 adds to regional damage
- High-rise collapses in Bangkok, killing at least three
- Myanmar declares state of emergency in six regions
- Hospitals urgently request blood donors in quake-hit zones
- Damage reported in China’s Yunnan and Sichuan provinces
- Red Cross cites downed power lines and access issues
- Bangkok and nearby areas declared disaster zones
Massive 7.7 Quake Hits Myanmar, Bangkok, Three Dead
Deep Look
A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, killing at least three people in Bangkok and triggering widespread destruction across both nations. The midday quake, followed closely by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock, sent shockwaves through Southeast Asia, toppling buildings, damaging historic sites, and prompting emergency declarations.
The epicenter was located near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, but the effects were felt across borders. In Bangkok, a high-rise building under construction collapsed, leaving a trail of rubble and chaos in one of the city’s busiest commercial zones.
Thai emergency authorities confirmed that at least three people were killed in the building collapse and 90 others remain unaccounted for. Seven individuals have been rescued so far, but rescue efforts are hampered by the instability of the remaining rubble. The collapse, which occurred near the bustling Chatuchak market, sent a construction crane crashing to the ground and raised a massive cloud of dust, captured in dramatic video footage shared widely online.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared Bangkok a disaster zone and called an emergency meeting to coordinate response efforts. Public transit systems, including Bangkok’s elevated rail and subway lines, were temporarily shut down as a safety measure.
Scenes of panic unfolded throughout the capital, where the quake sent people rushing from high-rises and office buildings into city parks and streets. Frightened crowds, many in business attire, filled sidewalks, parks, and open spaces, checking their phones and seeking shade from the sweltering midday heat. Tourists and locals alike described the swaying of buildings and water spilling from rooftop pools.
Paul Vincent, a tourist from England, recalled the chaos: “There was a lot of screaming and panicking… the building was swaying, and that’s when it hit me. People were crying in the streets—it was horrendous.”
In Myanmar, where the quake struck hardest, the military-led government declared a state of emergency across six regions and states, including Mandalay and the capital, Naypyitaw. Damage was reported at key heritage sites, including the former royal palace in Mandalay, and several religious shrines in the capital were damaged or destroyed.
The Sagaing region saw the collapse of a 90-year-old bridge and damage to major roadways connecting Mandalay to Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city. Despite the region’s earthquake-prone geography, such powerful quakes are rare, especially ones that ripple into the Thai capital.
The Red Cross reported serious logistical challenges in accessing affected regions in Myanmar, particularly Mandalay, Sagaing, and southern Shan state. Downed power lines and the country’s ongoing civil war are making rescue operations difficult. “Initial reports from the ground suggest the earthquake has caused significant damage,” the Red Cross stated. “Information on humanitarian needs is still being gathered.”
Myanmar’s military spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, said hospitals in the most affected areas are in urgent need of blood donations and called on citizens to donate immediately.
Meanwhile, the earthquake’s impact extended into southern China. The tremors were felt in Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, where media outlets reported injuries and structural damage, especially in the border city of Ruili. Videos showed streets filled with debris and emergency responders aiding the injured. In Mangshi, strong shaking made it difficult for people to stand, and in Kunming, ceiling fixtures swayed violently as the quake hit.
Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention confirmed that the quake was felt in almost every region of the country. While Bangkok experienced the most visible damage, shaking was also reported in Chiang Mai, Phuket, and other provinces.
Rescue workers across affected regions remain on high alert as authorities brace for potential aftershocks. The U.S. Geological Survey and Germany’s GFZ center for geosciences estimated the quake depth at a shallow 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), making the damage more severe than deeper quakes.
In Bangkok, people shared stories of disbelief and fear. April Kanichawanakul, working in a downtown office, said, “At first I thought I was dizzy. Then everyone started running. I’d never experienced anything like this before.”
The full extent of the casualties and damage remains unclear, especially in remote areas of Myanmar already cut off by civil conflict. With communication networks strained and infrastructure compromised, regional and international humanitarian agencies are preparing for a difficult and potentially prolonged relief effort.
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