A devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. According to state-run MRTV, the death toll has surged to 1,002, with over 2,376 people injured. Tremors were felt across neighboring countries, including Thailand, where Bangkok witnessed severe damage, including the collapse of a high-rise building.
The earthquake's epicenter was located 17.2 km from Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, with a shallow depth of 10 km, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The Myanmar Earthquake: Key Facts and Data
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Date of Occurrence: Friday
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Magnitude: 7.7 on the Richter scale
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Epicenter: Northwest of Sagaing, Myanmar
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Depth: 10 km (US Geological Survey - USGS)
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2 Major Aftershock: 6.4-magnitude aftershock followed shortly after
4.2-magnitude aftershock was recorded on Friday night at 11:56 PM (local time). -
Affected Regions: Myanmar, Thailand, and parts of southern China
The earthquake is being described as the strongest globally in the last two years, with widespread destruction across multiple regions in Myanmar.
Casualty Update: 694 Killed, 1,670 Injured
The death toll has surged to 1,002, with 2,376 injuries reported, according to Myanmar’s state-run broadcaster MRTV. Many of the injured have been rushed to hospitals, including the 1,000-bed hospital in Naypyidaw, where overwhelmed medical staff struggle to cope with the influx of patients.
Key statistics:
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Death toll in Myanmar: 1,002 fatalities
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Injured in Myanmar: 2,376 people
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Fatalities in Bangkok, Thailand: 8 people
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People missing in Bangkok: 117 individuals
Many more people remain trapped under debris, and officials fear the numbers may rise further. Authorities have declared Bangkok a disaster zone.
Damage Across Myanmar and Thailand
Myanmar: Widespread Devastation
Myanmar’s military government has declared a state of emergency in multiple regions. The earthquake caused:
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Ma Soe Yane Monastery, one of Myanmar’s largest, was completely destroyed.
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The former royal palace and government housing in Naypyidaw suffered significant damage.
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Damage to roads and bridges, including a 90-year-old bridge in the Sagaing region.
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Flooding in low-lying areas due to a dam collapse.
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The Mandalay-Yangon highway sustained damage in several sections.
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Extensive destruction to homes and government buildings.
At the 1,000-bed hospital in Naypyidaw, medical teams are treating hundreds of injured amid chaotic conditions. Many patients lie outside the emergency department as parts of the hospital itself suffered severe structural damage.
Thailand: Bangkok’s Disaster Zone
In Bangkok, panic spread through the city as buildings shook violently. Witnesses described seeing:
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A 30-storey government building under construction in Bangkok collapsed, trapping 43 workers under rubble. Emergency teams are still working to rescue survivors.
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Office workers and mall-goers running for safety, some rushing down escalators in panic.
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Water pouring from rooftop pools as aftershocks continued.
Emergency teams have rescued at least seven survivors from the collapsed building. The metro and light rail systems in Bangkok were suspended but have resumed normal operations, except for two light rail lines under further inspection.
Why is Myanmar Vulnerable to Earthquakes?
Myanmar lies on the boundary between the India Plate and the Eurasia Plate, making it one of the world's most seismically active countries.
According to Joanna Faure Walker, an earthquake expert at University College London, the plates move past each other horizontally, causing "strike-slip" earthquakes. While these quakes are usually less powerful than those in subduction zones, they can still reach magnitudes of 7 to 8, as seen in Friday’s disaster.
International Aid and Relief Efforts
India’s ‘Operation Brahma’: First to Respond
India launched ‘Operation Brahma’ on Saturday, dispatching 15 tonnes of relief supplies to Myanmar. An Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft transported aid from Hindon Air Force Station to Yangon.
India’s relief package includes:
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Tents, blankets, and sleeping bags
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Food packets and hygiene kits
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Generator sets and solar lamps
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Essential medicines (paracetamol, antibiotics, syringes, gloves, bandages, etc.)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the disaster and assured full support for Myanmar and Thailand. The Indian Embassy in Yangon is coordinating assistance with Myanmar’s government. Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar shared visuals of the aid reaching Yangon Airport.
Other Countries Offering Assistance
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Malaysia: Deploying a 50-member rescue team to Yangon.
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United Nations (UN): Mobilizing aid and coordinating relief efforts in Myanmar. “The UN is mobilizing relief efforts in Myanmar, which remains the most vulnerable”, UN Chief Antonio Guterres.
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World Health Organization (WHO): Readying trauma care supplies, including external fixators for severe injuries.
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United States (USA): Former President Donald Trump pledged US assistance for Myanmar. “We will be helping Myanmar in this tragic time”, US President Donald Trump
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Indonesia: President Prabowo Subianto offered aid to both Myanmar and Thailand.
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European Union (EU): Chief Ursula von der Leyen stated that the EU is ready to help, with Copernicus satellites aiding relief operations. “Europe is ready to provide more support”, EU President Ursula von der Leyen
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Pope Francis: Expressed his prayers for the victims in Myanmar and Thailand.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Recovery
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar has caused immense devastation, with nearly 700 confirmed dead and over 1,600 injured. The impact has been felt across the region, particularly in Thailand, where Bangkok has declared a disaster emergency.
With international aid pouring in, search and rescue teams continue their efforts. However, with infrastructure severely damaged and aftershocks persisting, the full extent of the disaster is yet to be determined.
As Myanmar remains one of the world’s most earthquake-prone nations, experts stress the importance of enhanced preparedness and rapid response mechanisms to mitigate future disasters.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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