Fri Mar 28 14:04:11 UTC 2025: ## Devastating Earthquakes Strike Myanmar, Thailand; State of Emergency Declared
**Naypyidaw/Bangkok –** Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.7 and 6.4 on the Richter scale, struck central Myanmar on Friday, causing widespread death and destruction across the country and in neighboring Thailand. The tremors, felt across Southeast and South Asia, have prompted a state of emergency in six Myanmar states.
The initial earthquake, hitting 16km northwest of Sagaing city at a depth of 10km, struck around 12:50 pm local time. This was followed by a significant aftershock. The epicenter was near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city.
Initial reports from Myanmar’s state-run MRTV indicate at least 144 deaths and 732 injuries within the country. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue. Numerous buildings have collapsed, including monasteries, hotels, and a mosque, trapping many under the rubble. A major hospital in Naypyidaw has been declared a mass casualty area. Damage to infrastructure, including bridges and roads, is extensive, with the collapse of the Ava Bridge in Sagaing reported. Power outages are hampering rescue operations in some areas.
In Thailand, at least nine people died, primarily due to the collapse of a 30-story building under construction in Bangkok, leaving 43 workers trapped and 117 missing. Bangkok’s public transportation system was temporarily shut down.
Tremors were felt as far away as China, India, Bangladesh, and Cambodia, though no significant casualties have been reported in these countries. The UN Secretary-General has announced that the organization is mobilizing aid for the affected regions.
Myanmar’s military government has declared a state of emergency in several affected areas, including Mandalay and Naypyidaw. While the government pledged to conduct rescue operations and provide aid, the ongoing civil conflict and international isolation following the 2021 coup pose significant challenges to relief efforts. Offers of assistance have been received from several international leaders, including those from India, France, and the European Union. Anti-junta groups have also pledged humanitarian support.
Experts cite Myanmar’s location on the seismically active Sagaing Fault and the lack of earthquake-resistant building codes, particularly in rapidly urbanizing areas, as contributing factors to the severity of the damage. The situation remains critical, with concerns about aftershocks and ongoing rescue efforts.
First Piper 