A devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar today, sending powerful tremors across the region and into Thailand. The seismic event, which originated near Mandalay, has left a trail of destruction, prompting widespread evacuations and emergency response efforts.
Disaster Unfolds in Myanmar
The quake’s epicenter was pinpointed near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, where infrastructure crumbled under the intense shaking. A historic 90-year-old bridge collapsed into the river, and key highways, including the Mandalay-Yangon route, suffered severe structural damage. Authorities report significant casualties and widespread destruction as emergency teams work tirelessly to locate survivors and provide medical aid.
Shockwaves in Thailand
Despite originating in Myanmar, the earthquake’s force was acutely felt in Thailand, particularly in Bangkok. The capital’s skyline swayed as high-rise buildings trembled. A 30-story construction site in the Chatuchak district partially collapsed, trapping workers inside. Emergency responders are on the scene, working against the clock to rescue those affected. Residents across the city evacuated as repeated aftershocks heightened concerns of further damage.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has declared a state of emergency in Bangkok, urging citizens to remain vigilant. “We are mobilizing all necessary resources to ensure public safety and assist those in need,” she stated in an emergency press conference.
Eyewitness Testimonies
“It was terrifying—the whole building swayed, and we didn’t know if it would hold,” recalled Anucha Prasert, a Bangkok office worker who fled from his 15th-floor workspace. “Everyone rushed down the stairwell in panic.”
Similar harrowing accounts have emerged from Mandalay, where locals describe scenes of devastation, with homes reduced to rubble and roads splitting apart.
Emergency Response and Next Steps
Rescue operations are underway in both countries, with authorities deploying teams to assess damage and provide relief. Citizens are being urged to avoid structurally compromised buildings and prepare for aftershocks.
International organizations are closely monitoring the situation, and humanitarian aid is expected to be mobilized soon.