Residents describe horror in aftermath of earthquake in Myanmar

Powerful Earthquake Strikes Myanmar and Thailand, Causing Widespread Panic and Damage

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake sent shockwaves through Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, triggering widespread panic and causing buildings to collapse across both nations. Residents in major cities reported feeling intense tremors, as the scale of the disaster began to unfold.

Eyewitness Accounts from Yangon

In Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, residents recounted experiencing severe shaking that lasted for several minutes. One Yangon inhabitant, speaking anonymously to the BBC, described the earthquake as “quite intense,” noting that the tremors persisted for approximately four minutes. He explained, “It lasted around three to four minutes,” adding, “I was receiving messages from friends and realizing that it was not just in Yangon, but also many places across the country.”

Building Collapse and Chaos in Bangkok

The seismic activity, felt throughout Thailand and reaching as far as China, led to the collapse of a 30-story high-rise structure in Bangkok, the Thai capital. Reports indicated that 43 construction workers were trapped in the debris following the building’s disintegration.

Across Bangkok, citizens fled into the streets as buildings swayed and water overflowed from rooftop pools, demonstrating the widespread impact of the quake.

Sirinya Nakuta, a Bangkok resident, recounted her terrifying experience to Reuters: “It didn’t stop. I heard things falling down from upstairs like stones hitting on us. I told my kids, we can’t stay here and we have to get out of here. So we ran down.”

Emergency Response and Casualty Reports

Worapat Sukthai, the deputy police chief of Bang Sue district, reported hearing cries for help emanating from the collapsed tower block. “When I arrived at the site, I heard people calling for help, saying ‘help me’,” he told AFP. “We estimate that hundreds are injured, but we are still determining the number of casualties.”

As the magnitude of the devastation became apparent, Myanmar authorities designated Nay Pyi Taw General Hospital as a “mass casualty area.” Images depicted patients being treated on gurneys outdoors, with intravenous drips suspended from makeshift supports, reflecting the overwhelmed medical facilities.

Myanmar Junta Appeals for International Assistance

The military junta currently governing Myanmar, in a rare move, issued an appeal for international aid. They declared a state of emergency across six regions severely affected by the earthquake.

Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing visited Nay Pyi Taw hospital and made a public plea for assistance, stating, “We want the international community to send humanitarian aid as soon as possible.”

Communication Challenges and Impact on Daily Life

Limited access to information within Myanmar, coupled with restricted internet usage, complicates the assessment of the full impact. Communication disruptions further impede relief efforts. Reports indicate that communication lines are strained, hindering the BBC’s attempts to contact aid organizations operating in the affected regions.

In Bangkok, the earthquake caused the suspension of metro and rail services, disrupting daily commutes. Zsuzsanna Vari-Kovacs described the evacuation of a restaurant: “I was waiting for the bill and suddenly I started feeling the earth shake. At first, I thought it was just me, but then I saw everyone looking around. We ran outside immediately.”

Deborah Punmachet shared her startling experience at home: “I was in my La-Z-Boy [a recliner] and all of a sudden it moved back and forth. Then it flipped over and I hit my head on a table.”

BBC journalist Bui Thu, based in Bangkok, noted that it had been approximately a decade since Thailand had experienced an earthquake of such intensity.

Destruction in Mandalay and Regional Damage

Social media footage from Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, revealed scenes of demolished structures, including portions of the historic royal palace. A 90-year-old bridge reportedly crumbled, and segments of the primary highway connecting Yangon and Mandalay suffered significant damage.

USGS “Red Alert” and Potential Casualties

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) issued a “red alert,” cautioning that “high casualties and extensive damage are probable” as a result of this significant earthquake. While the precise death toll remains unknown, the USGS estimates that fatalities could potentially reach into the thousands, underscoring the severity of this natural disaster in Myanmar and Thailand.