The death toll from a powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand has exceeded 1,000, as rescue teams continue efforts to locate survivors trapped beneath rubble.
The 7.7-magnitude quake, which hit central Myanmar on Friday afternoon, was followed minutes later by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock.
The disaster caused widespread destruction, particularly in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, home to over 1.7 million people. Buildings collapsed, roads buckled, and bridges were severely damaged.
“We need aid,” pleaded Thar Aye, a 68-year-old Mandalay resident. “We don’t have enough of anything.”
Rising Casualties and Rescue Efforts
According to the military junta, at least 1,007 people have been confirmed dead in Myanmar, with nearly 2,400 injured and 30 still missing. In neighboring Thailand, at least 10 deaths were reported in Bangkok. Given the disruption to communication networks, officials fear the true scale of the disaster has yet to be realized.
In Mandalay, more than 90 people are believed to be trapped under the wreckage of the Sky Villa Condominium, where several floors collapsed onto one another. Rescuers are working tirelessly to extract survivors, but the extent of the damage is making their efforts increasingly challenging.
Devastation in Mandalay
The quake is the strongest to hit Myanmar in decades, with its impact felt as far as Bangkok. In Mandalay, an ancient Buddhist pagoda was reduced to rubble. “It started shaking, then it got serious,” a soldier at a nearby checkpoint recounted. “The monastery also collapsed. One monk died, and several people were injured. We pulled some out and rushed them to the hospital.”
Mandalay Airport has also been closed due to structural damage, complicating relief efforts in a country already struggling with ongoing civil unrest following a 2021 military coup.
Junta’s Rare Plea for International Aid
Acknowledging the severity of the disaster, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing made an uncommon appeal for international assistance. Historically, Myanmar’s military rulers have been reluctant to accept foreign aid, even in the aftermath of major natural disasters.
The government has declared a state of emergency in six severely affected regions. In Naypyidaw, the capital, medical teams were forced to treat patients outdoors due to damaged hospital infrastructure.
Offers of aid have begun arriving, with an Indian relief flight delivering hygiene kits, blankets, food, and other essential supplies. China has dispatched an 82-member rescue team to assist in relief operations.
Aftershocks Felt in Bangkok
In Thailand, the quake triggered the collapse of a 30-story building under construction in Bangkok, leading to at least 10 fatalities. Officials warn that up to 100 workers remain missing. Thermal imaging drones have detected signs of life from at least 15 people trapped in the debris.
Bangkok authorities have launched a citywide safety inspection of over 2,000 reported damaged structures. As a precaution, more than 400 residents spent the night in public parks due to concerns over the safety of their homes. Several hospitals were also evacuated, with at least one woman giving birth outdoors.
While Bangkok did not suffer widespread destruction, viral footage captured rooftop swimming pools overflowing, sending torrents of water cascading down high-rise buildings.
Unfolding Humanitarian Crisis
Even before the earthquake, Myanmar was grappling with a dire humanitarian situation, with over 3.5 million people displaced due to the ongoing civil war. Aid organizations fear that the disaster will further strain already limited resources, exacerbating the suffering of millions.