Sat Mar 29 18:15:08 UTC 2025: ## Devastating Earthquake Kills Over 1,600 in Myanmar, Thailand

**Yangon/Bangkok —** A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck northwestern Myanmar on Friday, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming the lives of over 1,600 people across Myanmar and Thailand. The death toll is expected to rise significantly as rescue efforts continue amidst widespread damage and communication disruptions.

The quake, which struck near Sagaing, Myanmar, was followed by a 6.7 magnitude aftershock. Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, bore the brunt of the devastation, with buildings collapsing and infrastructure severely damaged. At least 1,644 deaths and over 3,400 injuries have been reported in Myanmar alone, with hundreds more missing. In Thailand, at least 10 deaths have been confirmed, and eight are confirmed dead due to a separate incident: the collapse of a 30-story building under construction in Bangkok, with 79 still unaccounted for.

Rescue workers are frantically searching through rubble, pulling survivors from collapsed structures. One such rescue involved a 30-year-old woman pulled alive from a flattened condominium in Mandalay, while others remain trapped, with families desperately searching for loved ones.

The junta in Myanmar issued a rare plea for international aid, highlighting the severity of the crisis and the country’s limited capacity to respond effectively. The country’s already fragile infrastructure, weakened by years of civil war, further complicates relief efforts. Aid is beginning to arrive from countries such as India and China, but agencies warn of significant shortages of medical supplies and challenges posed by damaged roads and communication networks.

The earthquake’s impact extended to Bangkok, where tremors caused damage to buildings, including the collapse of the under-construction skyscraper. Authorities in Bangkok are conducting building safety inspections following numerous reports of damage.

The scale of the disaster is only beginning to emerge, with the true extent of the damage and casualties still unclear due to communication challenges and the isolated nature of the affected areas. The ongoing search and rescue operation is the immediate priority, with the long-term recovery effort expected to be massive.

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