Quake rocks Myanmar, Thailand; Bangkok tower collapses
A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck Myanmar and Thailand, causing widespread destruction. A skyscraper collapsed in Bangkok, trapping people under the rubble. The tremors were also felt in India, Bangladesh, Laos, and southern China.
Earthquake in Myanmar. What do you need to know?
- A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.7 hit Myanmar on March 28, 2025.
- The epicenter of the tremors was located about 10 miles northwest of the city of Sikong, and the hypocenter — the point inside the Earth where the stress release occurs — at a depth of 6 miles.
- The scale of the earthquake was so large that tremors were felt in many countries in the region, including Thailand, India, Bangladesh, Laos, and China.
What were the effects of the earthquake in Myanmar?
The earthquake caused severe destruction in Myanmar and neighboring countries. Social media showed photos of collapsed buildings and debris on the streets, notably in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.
Myanmar
In the country, a 90-year-old bridge over the Irrawaddy River near Sagaing collapsed. In Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, a five-story building collapsed, leading to panic among residents who evacuated their homes en masse and gathered on the streets. Myanmar's ruling military junta requested international humanitarian assistance and declared a state of emergency in six regions.
Thailand
The tremors were particularly strong in Bangkok, where buildings visibly swayed, forcing many residents to evacuate. In the Chatuchak Park district, an unfinished 30-story skyscraper collapsed, with about 50 people trapped underneath. Water spilled from rooftop pools, and many structures suffered damage, including falling pieces of facades.
Other countries
The tremors were also felt in Kolkata (India), Dhaka (Bangladesh), Vientiane (Laos), and southern China, particularly in the province of Yunnan. In these regions, residents reported swaying buildings and outbreaks of panic on the streets.
Massive earthquake in Burma and neighboring countries. New warnings
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) warned that thousands of people in Myanmar may have died. The death toll is still being determined, but it is already known that the earthquake caused significant infrastructure losses.
Thailand's Prime Minister declared Bangkok a danger zone and urged residents to evacuate high-rise buildings due to possible aftershocks.
Fortunately, the Japan Meteorological Agency reported that there is no risk of a tsunami, which could further worsen the situation.
Rescue services are currently focusing on searching for survivors and removing debris. The situation is particularly difficult in Bangkok, where rescue teams are trying to reach people trapped under the collapsed skyscraper rubble.
Why was the earthquake in Myanmar so strong?
A magnitude of 7.7 indicates a very strong earthquake. It's important to remember that the Richter scale is logarithmic — each full number increase means a tenfold increase in seismic wave amplitude and approximately a 32-fold increase in energy released during the earthquake.
Such tremors can cause severe destruction within a radius of hundreds of miles, and their effects can be felt even in distant countries. That's why the tremors were felt in many parts of South and Southeast Asia.
Possible aftershocks following the earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand
The situation is dynamic. The number of victims and injured persons may still rise. Authorities in Myanmar, Thailand, and other affected countries are working to coordinate rescue efforts and provide assistance to those affected.
Currently, the priority is to find survivors and secure the most damaged buildings. Experts predict that aftershocks may occur in the coming days, posing additional danger.
