Tue Apr 01 08:31:33 UTC 2025: ## Devastating Earthquake Strikes Myanmar and Thailand, Killing Thousands

**Bangkok/Yangon, April 1, 2025** – A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Southeast Asia on Friday, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming over 2,700 lives in Myanmar alone, with the death toll expected to rise above 3,000. The quake, the strongest to hit the region in over a century, toppled ancient pagodas and modern buildings, leaving thousands injured and homeless. In neighbouring Thailand, a collapsed skyscraper in Bangkok added to the tragedy, with at least 13 confirmed dead and 74 still missing.

In Myanmar, the already dire situation is exacerbated by the ongoing civil war. Aid groups report an urgent need for shelter, food, and water, but access is severely hampered by the conflict. The junta’s restrictions on aid reaching areas outside its control are hindering relief efforts, with Amnesty International urging the military to allow unimpeded access for humanitarian organizations. The death of 50 preschoolers and two teachers in Mandalay highlights the devastating impact on vulnerable populations.

The situation in Bangkok is equally grim, with rescue workers racing against time to find survivors amidst the rubble of the collapsed building. While scanners have detected possible human figures, there are no signs of life, and hopes are dwindling four days after the quake. Initial investigations suggest substandard steel may have contributed to the building’s collapse. The Thai government has launched an investigation.

A regional leaders’ meeting in Bangkok, scheduled for April 3-4, will proceed as planned, though Myanmar’s junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, may participate remotely. The earthquake has overshadowed his planned foreign trip. International rescue teams, including those from the U.S. and Israel, are assisting in both Myanmar and Thailand. However, the scale of the disaster and the complexities of the political situation in Myanmar pose significant challenges to the ongoing relief efforts.

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