Deadly Earthquake in Myanmar Claims Over 1,600 Lives as Rescue Efforts Intensify

Mandalay, March 29, 2025 – A devastating magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, killing over 1,600 people and leaving thousands injured, with the death toll expected to rise as rescue operations continue across the region and into neighboring Thailand. The disaster, one of the deadliest in Myanmar’s recent history, has triggered an urgent international response as teams scramble to find survivors amid widespread destruction.

The shallow quake hit northwest of Sagaing at 06:20 GMT (12:50 local time in Myanmar, 13:20 in Thailand), amplifying its destructive force. A significant aftershock, initially measured at 6.4 but later revised to 6.7, struck minutes later, worsening the chaos. In Myanmar, the epicenter near Mandalay— the country’s second-largest city—saw buildings, bridges, and religious sites collapse, plunging the region into despair. The junta reported 1,644 deaths and 3,408 injuries as of Saturday, with Mandalay bearing the brunt of the catastrophe.

“This is unprecedented in recent decades,” noted U.S. geologists, emphasizing the quake’s intensity, felt over 1,000 kilometers away in Bangkok, where seismic events are rare. In Myanmar, a nation already crippled by a civil war sparked by the 2021 military coup, the disaster has compounded an existing humanitarian crisis.

Chaos and Courage in Myanmar

In Mandalay, a 12-story residential building collapse has trapped over 90 people, according to a Red Cross official. Nearly 30 hours after the quake, 30-year-old Phyu Lay Khaing was pulled alive from the rubble of Sky Villa, embraced by her husband Ye Aung before being rushed to a hospital. Elsewhere, a centuries-old pagoda lay in ruins. “It started shaking, then got serious. The monastery collapsed,” said a soldier at a checkpoint near the site. “One monk died, and we pulled injured people from the debris.”

The soldier added, “No one dares sleep inside the monastery now—rumors of another quake keep us on edge. I’ve never felt anything like this.” Near Mandalay’s airport, where the ceiling caved in, security barred journalists, stating, “It’s been closed since yesterday, but no one was hurt.”

Myanmar’s fragile infrastructure, ravaged by years of conflict, has hampered rescue efforts. The junta, led by Min Aung Hlaing, issued a rare plea for international aid, a stark departure from its usual isolationism. “We invite any country or organization to help,” he declared, as emergency states were imposed across six hard-hit regions, including Mandalay and Naypyidaw. In the capital, damaged hospitals forced medics to treat hundreds of injured patients outdoors.

Global Response Ramps Up

China dispatched 82 rescuers and pledged $13.8 million in emergency aid, while an Indian plane delivered hygiene kits, blankets, and food to Yangon on Saturday. South Korea, Malaysia, and the World Health Organization also committed support. U.S. President Donald Trump vowed assistance, stating, “We’ll help—it’s terrible what’s happening.” Condolences poured in from King Charles III, Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who expressed “deep sadness” to the junta leader.

The United Nations, already warning of 15 million Burmese at risk of hunger in 2025 before the quake, highlighted the country’s unpreparedness. With 3.5 million displaced by conflict, humanitarian agencies fear the disaster’s toll could overwhelm an already strained system.

Thailand Reels from Ripple Effects

Across the border in Thailand, a 30-story construction site in Bangkok collapsed within seconds, burying dozens of workers under debris. Governor Chadchart Sittipunt confirmed eight deaths and eight rescues, with 79 still missing near the Chatuchak market. Thermal drones detected signs of life from at least 30 trapped individuals, spurring round-the-clock efforts by rescuers.

Bangkok deployed over 100 specialists to inspect buildings after 2,000 damage reports flooded in. About 400 residents spent the night in open parks, their homes deemed unsafe. Dramatic scenes unfolded as evacuations emptied high-rises, with rooftop pools spilling over and one woman giving birth outdoors after fleeing a hospital. A surgeon even completed an operation outside when tremors interrupted the procedure.

A Region in Shock

The quake’s reach stunned Bangkok, a city unaccustomed to such events, and underscored Myanmar’s vulnerability along the seismically active Sagaing Fault. As aftershocks loom, survivors and rescuers alike brace for what may come next in this unfolding tragedy.