A devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday afternoon, leaving behind scenes of destruction, heartbreak, and panic across the region. The powerful tremor, followed by a strong aftershock measuring 6.8, shook cities and towns, collapsing buildings, damaging critical infrastructure, and claiming at least 20 lives so far, with many more feared trapped or injured.
The earthquake’s epicentre was located 16 km northwest of Sagaing city, at a depth of 10 km, according to the United States Geological Survey. Residents of Mandalay, Yangon, and other parts of Myanmar felt the violent shaking, which sent people scrambling onto the streets, many barefoot and terrified.
In Mandalay, a mosque collapsed during Friday prayers, killing several worshippers and trapping others beneath the rubble. Hospitals in the region are overwhelmed, and local authorities have declared parts of Mandalay, including a 1,000-bed hospital, as a “mass casualty area.” The Myanmar military junta has officially declared a state of emergency.
The devastation was not limited to Myanmar. Tremors were felt as far as Bangkok, where panic gripped the city. Public transport services, including metro and rail, were temporarily suspended for safety checks. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has also declared an emergency in the capital and convened an urgent crisis meeting.
In Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, a horrifying scene unfolded as an under-construction skyscraper collapsed during the quake. More than 40 workers were reported trapped beneath the debris. Rescue teams are working tirelessly, but officials fear the number of casualties will rise as the rubble is cleared. “We estimate hundreds may be injured, but we are still confirming numbers,” said Worapat Sukthai, deputy police chief of Bang Sue district.
Social media was flooded with terrifying videos capturing the sheer force of the quake. Footage from Bangkok showed water spilling violently from infinity pools and private residences. Entire buildings swayed dangerously as people fled in fear. One video captured the moment a skyscraper came crashing down, leaving a cloud of dust and screams behind.
In Myanmar, images from Mandalay revealed heartbreaking damage. An old bridge over the Irrawaddy River crumbled, and numerous residential buildings lay flattened. A Buddhist monastery near Taunggyi, in Myanmar’s Shan State, collapsed, adding to the rising toll of loss and destruction.
The quake was so powerful that tremors were reported as far away as Kolkata and Manipur in India, and in Dhaka and Chattogram in Bangladesh. China’s Yunnan province also reported strong shaking, with the China Earthquake Networks Center recording the magnitude at 7.9.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep concern and solidarity with those affected. “Praying for the safety and wellbeing of everyone. India is ready to offer any assistance needed,” he posted on social media, adding that Indian authorities are on standby.
Myanmar is no stranger to seismic activity, but this quake ranks among the strongest in decades. The Sagaing Fault, which runs through the country, has seen several major earthquakes in the past, including one in 2016 that killed three people and damaged ancient temples in Bagan.
Today’s disaster comes as a cruel blow to a country already struggling with economic hardship and limited healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas. Emergency response teams, volunteers, and humanitarian organisations are now racing against time to rescue survivors and provide relief to those affected.
The full extent of the damage and human loss is still unfolding, but the grief, fear, and uncertainty are already palpable in the streets of Mandalay, Bangkok, and beyond.
