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Powerful Earthquake Devastates Myanmar and Thailand, Triggering Mass Casualties
Initial reports and shocking visuals reveal the immense devastation caused by a powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand earlier today. The seismic event has led to widespread building collapses and a surging casualty count, with thousands feared dead.
Earthquake Epicenter Near Mandalay, Myanmar
Fears are mounting for potentially thousands of casualties following a massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake that centered near Mandalay, the second-largest city in Myanmar, with a population exceeding 1.5 million.
Aftershocks and Initial Impact
The powerful tremor occurred in central Myanmar at 13:20 local time (06:50 GMT), shortly followed by a significant 6.4-magnitude aftershock. The shallow nature of the quake exacerbated the destructive impact across the region.
Mass Casualty Situation Declared
Authorities at a primary hospital in Naypyidaw, the nation’s capital, have declared a ‘mass casualty area,’ anticipating a significant rise in the death toll as numerous buildings have reportedly collapsed.
Religious and Educational Sites Damaged
Monastery Collapse in Mandalay
Distressing footage from Mandalay shows monks witnessing the destruction of the Ma Soe Yane monastery, one of several religious sites reportedly damaged throughout Myanmar. Casualty figures for the monastery collapse remain unconfirmed, but initial reports suggest potentially ten or more individuals were inside when the structure failed.
Mandalay University Ablaze
Mandalay University was also reported to be on fire in the aftermath of the earthquake, further compounding the catastrophe.
Skyscrapers Collapse in Bangkok, Thailand
In Bangkok, the capital of Thailand and a metropolis of 17 million, numerous skyscrapers reportedly collapsed. Some structures appeared to disintegrate rapidly, seemingly imploding as their support pillars gave way.
Horrifying Scenes of Trapped Civilians
In a harrowing video depicting the aftermath, a child was seen trapped up to his neck in debris, crying for assistance.
Crane Collapse and Rooftop Pool Spillover
Another striking video captured a large crane plummeting from a high-rise building in Bangkok, its framework buckling under the seismic tremors. The intense tremors also impacted rooftop swimming pools on Bangkok‘s upscale skyscrapers, causing significant water spillage down the buildings’ exteriors.
Panic and Evacuation
Residents, tourists, and shoppers were observed fleeing in panic as buildings around them shook violently, vibrated, and began to crumble.
Casualty Reports and Ongoing Assessment
By 14:30 GMT, Myanmar officials confirmed 144 fatalities. Thai authorities have yet to release preliminary casualty figures. Hundreds remain unaccounted for and are feared dead, suggesting that the overall casualty count is likely to escalate substantially.
A child buried in the remnants of a collapsed skyscraper calls for help
Footage showed a building collapsing in front of monks near the epicentre in Myanmar on Friday
This is the astonishing moment a crane collapses of the side of a high-rise building
The aftermath of a mosque collapse in Myanmar is seen in this video
A bridge is seen moments before and after its collapse following the earthquake today
People stand near the site of a collapsed building after a strong earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, earthquake monitoring services said, which affected Bangkok as well with hundreds of people pouring out of buildings in the Thai capital in panic after the tremors, in Bangkok, Thailand, March 28, 2025
High-rise building in Bangkok with swimming pool water coming down the side after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake caused widespread damage
Thai rescue teams provide aid at a construction building collapse in Bangkok’s Chatuchak area on March 28, 2025 in Bangkok
A bloodied earthquake survivor rests in a hospital in Naypyidaw on March 28, 2025
Shoppers, tourists and residents run from the earthquake
Motorists ride past a damaged building after a strong earthquake struck central Myanmar, in Mandalay, Myanmar, March 28
A worker reacts near a site of a collapsed building in Bangkok, Thailand
Earthquake victims lie on the ground of the compound of a hospital in Naypyidaw
Rescue teams arrive with a stretcher to evacuate an injured man at a construction site where a building collapsed in Bangkok on March 28, 2025
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