Myanmar Earthquake Update (8.35 pm IST)
Myanmar&rsquo;s government reports that 144 people have died, and over 730 have been injured in the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the Asian nation earlier on Friday. Seven people have also been killed in Bangkok, the capital of the neighbouring nation Thailand.&nbsp;
Earthquake Update (5.34 pm IST)
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bangkok:&nbsp;At least 3 dead, 81 trapped&nbsp;in the collapsed&nbsp;30-story high-rise in Chatuchak district.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Myanmar hospital gives initial quake toll of 20 dead.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">India extends &lsquo;all possible assistance&rsquo; in the wake of the deadly quake. &ldquo;Concerned by the situation in the wake of the Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Praying for the safety and wellbeing of everyone. India stands ready to offer all possible assistance. In this regard, asked our authorities to be on standby. Also asked the MEA to remain in touch with the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand,&rdquo; wrote Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday the 27-nation bloc stood ready to help earthquake-hit Myanmar and Thailand.</li>
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&ldquo;Heartbreaking scenes from Myanmar and Thailand after the devastating earthquake. My thoughts are with the victims and their families,&rdquo; von der Leyen wrote on X. &ldquo;Europe&rsquo;s Copernicus satellites are already helping first responders. We are ready to provide more support.&rdquo;
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 A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, unleashing widespread destruction across the region. The tremor, which originated near Sagaing, was followed by a significant 6.4-magnitude aftershock. The quake caused severe damage to infrastructure, roads, and buildings in Myanmar&rsquo;s capital Naypyidaw and surrounding regions, with reports of casualties continuing to rise.
Myanmar: Collapsed Bridges, Crumbled Buildings, and Rising Death Toll
In Myanmar, the earthquake led to the collapse of several bridges, including a key highway bridge connecting major cities. Reports indicate that multiple buildings have suffered structural failure, including a historic mosque in Mandalay where at least ten people lost their lives. Authorities have declared a state of emergency in multiple areas, and rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate survivors trapped under rubble.
The impact has been particularly severe in Sagaing, where roads have buckled, and communication lines have been disrupted. Hospitals in major cities are overwhelmed with injured individuals, and makeshift relief camps are being set up for those displaced by the disaster. Government forces and humanitarian organizations have mobilized to provide emergency assistance.
Myanmar:
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sagaing Region:&nbsp;At least&nbsp;25 dead, including fatalities from collapsed homes and a mosque in Mandalay.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Naypyidaw:&nbsp;Reports of&nbsp;5 deaths, mainly from falling debris and building collapses.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mandalay:&nbsp;10 dead&nbsp;after a historic mosque crumbled, several injured.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Total Confirmed Deaths in Myanmar: 40+</li>
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Thailand:
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bangkok:&nbsp;At least 2 dead, 43 trapped&nbsp;in the collapsed&nbsp;30-story high-rise&nbsp;in Chatuchak district.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Chiang Rai:&nbsp;1 dead&nbsp;after a highway bridge collapsed, multiple injuries reported.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mae Hong Son (near Myanmar border):&nbsp;7 confirmed deaths from structural collapses.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Total Confirmed Deaths in Thailand: 10+</li>
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Missing Persons and High-Casualty Zones:
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bangkok (Thailand):&nbsp;Over&nbsp;43 construction workers trapped&nbsp;in the collapsed high-rise. Rescue operations are ongoing, but&nbsp;several are feared dead.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sagaing Region (Myanmar):&nbsp;Dozens feared missing&nbsp;after homes and infrastructure collapsed.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mandalay (Myanmar):&nbsp;At least&nbsp;20 still missing&nbsp;amid the mosque collapse and surrounding buildings.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Total Missing Persons Across Region: Over 100</li>
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The death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue, especially in the worst-hit regions of&nbsp;Sagaing (Myanmar) and Bangkok (Thailand). Authorities are racing against time to locate survivors amid crumbled infrastructure and widespread destruction.
Thailand: Bangkok High-Rise Collapse Leaves Dozens Trapped
In neighbouring Thailand, the earthquake's impact was felt across the country, especially in the northern and central regions. The tremors led to the collapse of a 30-story high-rise building under construction in Bangkok&rsquo;s Chatuchak district, trapping over 40 workers inside. At least two fatalities have been confirmed, while rescue teams continue efforts to pull survivors from the debris. Seven workers managed to escape, but many remain missing.
The quake also caused damage to roads and bridges in northern Thailand, particularly in Chiang Rai, where a major highway bridge collapsed, cutting off key transport routes. The greater Bangkok area, home to over 17 million people, experienced widespread panic as high-rise buildings swayed violently. The metro and light rail services were temporarily halted, and authorities have warned of potential aftershocks.
Regional Impact: Tremors Across Asia
The earthquake's reach extended beyond Myanmar and Thailand, with tremors felt in China&rsquo;s Yunnan province, Vietnam, and parts of India. In Delhi and surrounding areas, buildings trembled, prompting evacuations in high-rise apartments and office spaces. Vietnam also reported tremors in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, leading to emergency evacuations in several districts.
Authorities across Southeast Asia have been put on high alert, with emergency teams monitoring aftershocks that could cause further destruction. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has returned to Bangkok to oversee the disaster response, while Myanmar&rsquo;s military government has requested international aid to assist in relief efforts.
Emergency Response and Ongoing Rescue Operations
The Thai government has mobilized all emergency services, with military and disaster response units working around the clock to clear debris and locate survivors. The use of drones has been deployed to assess the damage, particularly at the collapsed high-rise in Bangkok, where close to 100 workers were present at the time of the disaster. Army hospitals have been put on high alert, prepared to handle an influx of injured individuals.
In Myanmar, the government has called for nationwide emergency measures, focusing on medical assistance and temporary shelters for those displaced. Search-and-rescue teams continue to dig through the rubble, fearing that many more could still be trapped.
As the situation unfolds, authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant, warning that aftershocks could further destabilize structures. The full scale of the devastation is still being assessed, but with casualties rising and critical infrastructure in ruins, this earthquake is shaping up to be one of the most destructive seismic events in recent history for the region.
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A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck South East Asia on Friday

Myanmar, Thailand worst hit; Bangkok high-rise collapses, bridges down, massive rescue ops on

Southeast Asia 7.7 Earthquake: 144 Dead, 730 Injured

Myanmar, Thailand worst hit; Bangkok high-rise collapses, bridges down, massive rescue ops on

March 28, 2025 | 15:09 IST