Powerful 7.7-magnitude quake: Myanmar, Bangkok declare emergency

A devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Thailand and neighboring Myanmar midday on Friday, killing at least three people in Bangkok and trapping dozens under rubble after a high-rise building under construction collapsed.

The quake prompted Myanmar’s military-run government to declare a state of emergency across six regions, including the capital Naypyidaw and Mandalay.

The tremor, with an epicenter near Mandalay, was followed by a strong 6.4-magnitude aftershock. Rescue operations are underway, but Myanmar’s ongoing civil war is complicating efforts to deliver aid to affected areas.

Destruction, emergency response

The earthquake caused widespread devastation, toppling buildings and cutting power in multiple regions. The Red Cross reported that downed power lines are hindering access to the hardest-hit areas, including Mandalay, Sagaing, and southern Shan State.

“Initial reports suggest significant damage,” the Red Cross stated. “Humanitarian needs are still being assessed.”

High-Rise collapse in Bangkok

In Bangkok, a construction site disaster claimed three lives. A crane-topped high-rise building crumbled in a massive cloud of dust, killing one construction worker when the debris struck his truck and another who was crushed beneath the falling structure.

Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed the deaths and stated that at least 90 people remain missing. Rescue teams have pulled seven survivors from the rubble, but unstable debris is making further efforts hazardous.

The earthquake caused chaos in Thailand’s capital. Sirens echoed through central Bangkok, where traffic came to a standstill as panicked residents fled swaying buildings. The city’s elevated rapid transit system and subway were temporarily shut down. In response, city officials declared Bangkok a disaster zone to streamline emergency aid efforts.

Myanmar struggles with dual crises

In Myanmar, the disaster struck a country already crippled by years of military conflict. The junta’s emergency declaration included Mandalay and Naypyidaw, though it remains uncertain how relief will reach war-torn regions. Hospitals are struggling with casualties, and authorities have called for blood donations.

Myanmar’s fragile infrastructure and ongoing conflict make disaster response exceedingly difficult. Large parts of the country remain under the control of ethnic militias, further complicating rescue and relief operations.

Regional Impact

The quake’s tremors were felt across Southeast Asia, including China’s Yunnan province. Video footage showed panicked residents fleeing buildings in Myanmar and Thailand, while dust and debris filled city streets.

As rescue teams race against time, Myanmar and Thailand face starkly different challenges. Thailand’s well-equipped emergency response units contrast sharply with Myanmar’s war-ravaged and under-resourced healthcare system.

The full scale of the devastation remains unclear, with authorities continuing to assess casualties and damage across the affected areas.