A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, 2025, causing widespread devastation across the region and sending tremors as far as Bangkok, Thailand. The quake's epi-center was located near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). Buildings collapsed, roads cracked open, and terrified residents fled into the streets as the ground shook violently for what many described as the longest and most terrifying minutes of their lives.
Widespread Devastation in Myanmar
In Myanmar, the earthquake resulted in at least 144 fatalities and more than 730 injuries. Many villages in the Sagaing and Meiktila regions, closest to the epi-center, have been completely destroyed, with residents left homeless amid the rubble. Survivors describe desperate attempts to pull their loved ones out of collapsed buildings with their bare hands.
"We were having lunch when the walls started cracking. Within seconds, our entire house collapsed," said Aung Myint, a 42-year-old farmer from Meiktila. "My wife and daughter were trapped under the debris. We pulled them out, but many of our neighbours were not so lucky."
Naypyidaw and Mandalay, Myanmar's largest cities, have also suffered severe damage, with high-rise buildings left tilting dangerously and major roads split open. A Buddhist monastery in Mandalay, where dozens of monks lived, has been flattened, with emergency responders still pulling bodies from the debris.
The ruling military junta declared a state of emergency in six regions and states under the Disaster Management Law. Military leader General Min Aung Hlaing, addressing the nation on state television, warned that the death toll could rise further. He made an urgent appeal for international assistance, stating, "Myanmar needs help from any country willing to provide support." Offers of aid from India and the Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN have already been accepted, with rescue teams expected to arrive soon.
Scenes of Panic and Destruction in Bangkok
In Bangkok, the earthquake caused the dramatic collapse of a 30-story building under construction in the Chatuchak district, killing at least eight people and leaving 90 individuals unaccounted for. Witnesses described a deafening roar as the structure crumbled into a thick cloud of dust, sending panicked crowds running in all directions.
"I was just across the street when the building started shaking. People screamed, and then it just fell like a stack of cards," said Somchai Rattanakorn, a street vendor near the site. "I saw workers running, but many couldn&rsquo;t make it out in time. It was horrible."
The city's deputy governor, Tavida Kamolvej, confirmed that emergency teams are working around the clock to rescue those trapped under the wreckage. Drones and rescue dogs are being deployed, but unstable debris and ongoing aftershocks are making operations extremely dangerous.
"We are racing against time," said a rescue worker at the scene. "Many of those trapped inside are construction workers who had no chance to escape when the building collapsed."
The Bangkok city authority has declared the capital a disaster area, ordering the evacuation of several high-rise buildings as fears of structural collapses grow.
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US Fears death toll may increase:
Following the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar on March 28, 2025, U.S. authorities have expressed grave concerns about the potential death toll. The U.S. Geological Survey has issued a red alert, estimating fatalities could range between 1,000 and 10,000 based on the earthquake&rsquo;s magnitude, depth, and the region&rsquo;s infrastructure vulnerability. Given the widespread destruction, particularly in Mandalay and the Sagaing region, experts warn of high casualties and extensive damage. The disaster is expected to be widespread, highlighting the urgent need for international aid and a coordinated response to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.
Survivors Struggle Amidst Chaos and Aftershocks
Across both Myanmar and Thailand, survivors face a dire situation. With thousands displaced, temporary shelters are being set up in open fields and school compounds. In Myanmar, a severe shortage of blood supplies has left hospitals overwhelmed, with doctors treating patients in makeshift outdoor medical stations.
"We don&rsquo;t have enough medicine, and the hospitals are full," said Dr. Kyaw Zin, a medical officer at Mandalay General Hospital. "Patients with serious injuries are lying in corridors and outside on the ground, waiting for treatment."
In remote villages, many survivors remain cut off from help as rescue teams struggle to navigate through roads blocked by landslides and debris. Families continue to search through rubble with their hands, calling out names of missing relatives in desperate hope.
Regional Effects and International Response
The earthquake&rsquo;s tremors were felt across Southeast Asia, including China, India, and Laos. Reports indicate that buildings swayed in Kolkata and Imphal, with some minor structural damage in Yunnan and Sichuan provinces in China.
A predictive analysis conducted by international agencies has warned that the final death toll in Myanmar alone could reach into the thousands, given the extent of the destruction. Humanitarian organizations are mobilizing relief efforts, with rescue teams and medical supplies expected to arrive in the coming hours.
The Road Ahead: A Long Recovery Process
Rescue operations in both Myanmar and Thailand continue under extreme conditions, as authorities work to assess the full scale of the disaster. Relief efforts are being hampered by power outages, broken communication lines, and ongoing aftershocks that keep striking the region.
Many residents are left wondering how long it will take to rebuild their homes and lives. "I have nothing left," said Daw Khin, an elderly woman in Sagaing who lost her home in the quake. "Everything is gone, and I don&rsquo;t know how we will survive the coming days."
As the region comes to grips with one of the worst earthquakes in recent history, the focus now shifts to immediate relief and long-term recovery, with international aid playing a critical role in helping the affected nations rebuild.

Devastating earthquake lives hundreds of injured and thousands of homeless in Myanmar

US fears thousands of dead as Myanmar seeks global aid after devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake

152 Dead, Myanmar Declares Emergency After Quake

US fears thousands of dead as Myanmar seeks global aid after devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake

March 28, 2025 | 21:50 IST