More than 1,000 people have been confirmed dead after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday. Officials report over 2,300 injuries, with around 30 individuals still missing. The worst-hit area is Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, where thousands of buildings—including homes, temples, and monasteries—have collapsed.
International Aid and Ongoing Rescue Operations
• Several countries, including China, India, and Russia, have dispatched professional rescue teams, medical personnel, and specialized equipment. The teams are heading to Mandalay and the administrative capital, Naypyidaw.
• Airports in Mandalay and Naypyidaw remain closed until further notice to prioritize relief flights.
• The United States has pledged additional assistance, responding to a rare appeal for international help from Myanmar’s governing authorities.
Devastation in Mandalay
• About 2,300 buildings, including homes and temples, were reduced to rubble.
• More than 600 monasteries and nearly 300 pagodas sustained severe damage, along with 60 schools and at least three bridges.
• Portions of the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway and several dams in Upper Myanmar are also affected.
Eyewitness Accounts and Power Outages
Residents describe the event as a “nightmare,” with continuous aftershocks and widespread power outages. Telephone lines are largely down, and in Yangon—the nation’s commercial center—electricity is limited to a few hours per day.
Impact in Neighboring Thailand
• Thailand experienced strong tremors, causing a high-rise under construction in Bangkok to collapse. At least nine people were killed, and about 100 remain missing.
• The government declared the quake a level 3 disaster, or major catastrophe, mobilizing national rescue and relief efforts.
• Bangkok authorities ordered inspections of public buildings, hospitals, and critical infrastructure. Some were deemed unsafe, leading to immediate evacuations.
Transportation and Economic Disruptions
• Partial closures affected major highways around the quake zone.
• In Thailand, stock and futures exchanges halted trading on Friday for safety reasons, although key businesses and tourist sites have largely resumed operations.
• Public transit and metro services in Bangkok were briefly suspended to conduct safety checks.
Looking Ahead
Officials in Myanmar and Thailand continue evaluating damage and coordinating emergency response measures. International support is expected to grow, with several countries offering relief resources. As recovery progresses, local authorities warn that the casualty figures may rise further if rescuers find more victims trapped under collapsed structures.