Residents in Shock After Devastating Earthquake Strikes Myanmar and Thailand

Following a severe earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand, residents describe the harrowing aftermath as buildings collapse and chaos ensues. Casualty reports are mounting, and both nations call for international assistance.

Residents in Myanmar and Thailand are reeling from the shock of a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck late Friday night, resulting in widespread destruction. Eyewitness accounts illustrate the chaos as significant tremors toppled buildings and echoed across borders. A Yangon resident, who preferred anonymity, recounted his experience, saying, "The shakes were quite intense, lasting approximately four minutes," and described an overwhelming surge of messages from friends across the country confirming the widespread impact.

The tremors reached as far as Thailand and even parts of China. In Bangkok, a high-rise building under construction collapsed, burying 43 workers beneath the rubble. "I was inside my apartment with my children and couldn't believe how intense it was," shared resident Sirinya Nakuta. "We heard things crumbling and I knew we had to escape." The local police have reported hearing cries for help from those trapped under collapsed structures.

As reports of severe injuries and fatalities continue to rise, Myanmar's officials declared a state of emergency in six regions, with Nay Pyi Taw General Hospital overwhelmed by casualties and patients receiving care in makeshift settings. In an extraordinary move, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing publicly requested international aid, stating, "We need humanitarian support immediately."

Communication in Myanmar remains severely compromised due to the junta's restrictions, making it difficult to assess the full impact of the disaster. In Bangkok, residents and tourists alike fled buildings, confused and frightened as the ground rocked beneath them. Deborah Punmachet recounted how a sudden jolt sent her chair tumbling over as she was relaxing, while Bui Thu, a local journalist, remarked on the rarity of such significant earthquakes in the region.

Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, has also sustained extensive damage, with images surfacing of collapsed historic buildings and infrastructure failures. The United States Geological Survey has reacted with grave concern, issuing a "red alert" for potential high casualties and extensive damage, estimating fatalities could number in the thousands as the full scale of catastrophe unfolds.