On Friday, March 28, 2025, a massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The epicenter of the quake was located just 12 miles from Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city. The earthquake was followed by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock just 12 minutes later. The energy released by this earthquake was comparable to that of several hundred nuclear weapon explosions. The disaster has left at least 144 people dead and 732 injured in Myanmar, with the death toll expected to rise.
Rescue workers in Myanmar and Thailand are scrambling to find survivors in the aftermath of the earthquake. In Mandalay, not far from the quake’s epicenter, rescue teams are digging out people with their bare hands, highlighting the urgency and desperation of the situation. In Thailand, an unfinished high-rise collapsed, leaving around 100 construction workers unaccounted for and six dead. The building, which was under construction, collapsed due to the intensity of the earthquake. Thai authorities have launched search-and-rescue operations at the site of the collapse.
The earthquake was felt strongly in Bangkok, Thailand, almost 900 miles from the epicenter. Buildings swayed, and water spilled from rooftop pools onto the streets below. The collapse of the high-rise in Bangkok has raised concerns about the safety of structures in the city, especially those under construction. The greater Bangkok area is home to more than 17 million people, many of whom live in high-rise apartments. The collapse of the building has left many families in distress, with loved ones missing or trapped under the rubble.
The earthquake is believed to have occurred along the Sagaing Fault, a major north-south “strike-slip” fault similar to the San Andreas Fault in California. This fault has been responsible for many strong and destructive earthquakes in the past. The relatively shallow depth of the earthquake, at 10km (6.2 miles), contributed to its devastating impact. Many buildings in the region were not built to withstand such powerful tremors, leading to widespread structural damage. The lack of earthquake-resistant construction in both Myanmar and Thailand has been a significant factor in the scale of the disaster.
The international community has responded to the disaster with offers of aid and support. Myanmar’s military regime leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, has declared a state of emergency in six regions and has called for international assistance. The ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance and India have both offered to send aid. The Red Cross is also coordinating relief efforts, with concerns for large-scale dams and other critical infrastructure. The scale of the disaster has prompted calls for increased international cooperation to provide humanitarian aid and support to the affected regions.
As rescue operations continue, the focus is on finding survivors and providing medical assistance to the injured. The disaster has highlighted the need for better earthquake preparedness and stricter building codes in seismically active regions. The international community is urged to support the affected areas in both immediate relief efforts and long-term rebuilding and resilience planning. The earthquake serves as a stark reminder of the importance of investing in disaster risk reduction and ensuring that communities are better equipped to withstand and recover from such catastrophic events.
