On March 28, 2025, a catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked central Myanmar, causing extensive destruction, with roadways gouged and countless buildings toppled. This natural disaster has struck amidst ongoing civil strife, adding to the nation's turmoil. Initial reports from Myanmar's military government confirmed at least 144 fatalities and over 732 injuries across three cities. However, these figures do not account for the extensive damage in Mandalay, which lies merely ten miles from the epicenter.
**Major 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Myanmar: Casualties Expected to Rise**
**Major 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Myanmar: Casualties Expected to Rise**
A powerful earthquake near Mandalay has devastated structures, prompting fears of significant loss of life across Southeast Asia.
The U.S. Geological Survey's modeling predicts that the death toll could exceed 1,000, and potentially reach over 10,000 due to the area's high population density and vulnerable infrastructure. Remarkably, the quake's intensity was powerful enough to cause the collapse of a 33-story building under construction over 600 miles away in Bangkok, leaving at least eight dead and many missing.
Striking at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time, this earthquake was only the third of such magnitude to hit the region in the last century. An aftershock measuring 6.7 followed within minutes, with both tremors widely felt across neighboring countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and even as far as Bangladesh and southern China. In response to the seismic activity, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared an emergency in Bangkok, urging residents in high-rise buildings to evacuate.
As rescue efforts begin, the focus now shifts to providing aid and assessing the full extent of the damage amid dwindling hope for survivors in many collapsed structures.
Striking at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time, this earthquake was only the third of such magnitude to hit the region in the last century. An aftershock measuring 6.7 followed within minutes, with both tremors widely felt across neighboring countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and even as far as Bangladesh and southern China. In response to the seismic activity, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared an emergency in Bangkok, urging residents in high-rise buildings to evacuate.
As rescue efforts begin, the focus now shifts to providing aid and assessing the full extent of the damage amid dwindling hope for survivors in many collapsed structures.
