Myanmar has been overwhelmed by a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake on Friday that left at least 694 people dead and over 1,670 injured, officials said. The neighboring Thailand also reported ten deaths, most of them because of the collapse of a high-rise building in under construction in Bangkok.
The quake, whose epicenter is near Mandalay, caused the tremors to pass through eastern India, China, Cambodia, and Laos, followed by a strong 6.7-magnitude aftershock minutes later. In Myanmar the destruction was widespread great bridges were brought down and many were raised to the ground and thousands were rendered homeless.
🇮🇳 dispatches first tranche of urgent humanitarian aid for the people of Myanmar. @IAF_MCC C-130 is carrying blankets, tarpaulin, hygiene kits, sleeping bags, solar lamps, food packets and kitchen set. A search & rescue team and medical team is also accompanying this flight.… https://t.co/ONzOsHFSp2 pic.twitter.com/0p3OtTIlj5
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 29, 2025
Myanmar’s military junta, sapping under civil unrest, appealed for foreign assistance for the first time, admitting the breakdown of emergency services. Ava’s ancient Ava Bridge over the Irrawaddy River also collapsed adding to the depredations.
Global aid is coming in. Rescue teams have been sent by India, China and Russia and the US promised help. The India’s first aid flight carrying hygine kits, blankets and food packs landed on Saturday morning, followed by a search-and-rescue unit.
In Bangkok, up to 100 remained buried under the rubble of a collapsed high-rise in Bangkok. Rescuers are racing against time, burrowing into the rubble, while anxious families hope for good news.
With thousands still missing and tremors on going, the full extent of the disaster is still to be revealed. Relief work is Myanmar’s only hope in the wake of one of its deadliest quakes ever.
