Fri Mar 28 11:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Powerful Myanmar Earthquake Raises Concerns of Widespread Casualties
**Yangon, Myanmar** – A powerful earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, prompting fears of significant casualties and widespread damage. US Geological Survey (USGS) experts are comparing the quake’s intensity to the devastating 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake, citing the high population density in affected areas of Myanmar and Thailand.
The earthquake, registering a magnitude of 7.7, was one of six tremors recorded in the region on Friday, according to the National Center for Seismology. The shallow depth of the quake (approximately 10 kilometers) amplified its intensity. The epicenter was close to the densely populated city of Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, where reports and images suggest significant building collapses. In Thailand, buildings sustained damage, causing evacuations and leaving many people on the streets. One report suggests that 320 people were in a large building in Bangkok when it was damaged. Major roads near Naypyidaw, Myanmar’s capital, have reportedly cracked due to the quake’s force.
USGS scientists highlight Myanmar’s location at the intersection of the Indian tectonic plate and the Burma microplate, a seismically active zone prone to frequent and powerful earthquakes. A British Geological Survey scientist, Brian Baptie, noted that over the past century, Myanmar has experienced 14 earthquakes exceeding a magnitude of 6. The potential for high casualties is further underscored by the experience of the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake, which resulted in over 50,000 deaths. The USGS has classified the Myanmar earthquake as a “red event” due to the high risk of significant loss of life.
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