It was a horrifying Friday across Southeast Asia as a Powerful 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Thailand and Burma, Leading to Multiple Deaths. The quake, which originated near Mandalay—Myanmar’s second-largest city—rattled the region to its core, literally and emotionally.
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The quake hit at lunchtime and reached a depth of just 6.2 miles, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). That shallow impact intensified the destruction, stretching across hundreds of miles and triggering chaos from Mandalay to Bangkok.
Rescue teams scrambled through debris, fighting against time and unstable conditions. One of the most terrifying visuals came from Thailand, where a 30-story skyscraper under construction came crashing down in Bangkok.
Heart-Wrenching Scenes Unfold as Death Toll Climbs
Bodies were seen lined up in rows amid shattered bricks and broken dreams. Emergency crews worked frantically in Myanmar and Thailand to locate survivors. The USGS dropped a red alert warning, saying:
“High casualties and extensive damage are probable, and the disaster is likely widespread… past red alerts have required a national or international response.”
So far, estimates suggest 1,000 to 10,000 lives could be lost, though the true scope of the devastation won’t be clear for days, if not weeks.
Bangkok Shaken: Skyscraper Collapses, City Plunged Into Chaos
In Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, panic erupted as a high-rise still under construction suddenly crumbled into a massive cloud of dust. The building, which stood tall with a crane on top near Chatuchak market, became ground zero for disaster.
Social media exploded with dramatic footage of the collapse. Panicked onlookers could be seen running as the building fell apart before their eyes. According to Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai:
“Seven people have been rescued from the rubble, but dozens remain unaccounted for… the site is too unstable for crews to safely search.”
And it didn’t stop there. In parts of the city, hotel guests fled into the streets, some still in robes and swimwear, as water gushed from a pool above a luxury hotel.
Governor Chadchart Sittipunt later confirmed at least two deaths in Bangkok alone.
Myanmar Suffers Devastating Losses: Mosques and Hotels Crumble
Myanmar, already dealing with years of internal conflict and political instability, was hit hard. In the town of Taungoo, a mosque partially collapsed, killing at least three people on the spot.
Over in Aung Ban, a hotel collapse claimed two more lives, and injured at least 20 others, according to local media reports. Buildings across the region showed signs of structural failure, while many locals slept in open fields out of fear of aftershocks.
“This is the worst quake we’ve seen in years,” one local resident told a Burmese news outlet. “We’re still looking for our family members.”
International Response and Warnings Ahead
With the USGS labeling this event a “red alert” disaster, international aid is being prepped as multiple countries brace to send rescue teams and relief supplies. Humanitarian organizations are coordinating with local governments, while many hospitals in both nations have reached full capacity.
