A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Southeast Asia on Friday, killing over 140 people in Myanmar and injuring hundreds.
In Thailand, authorities scrambled to rescue dozens trapped under the rubble of a collapsed skyscraper in Bangkok.
The earthquake, centered in Myanmar, hit around midday and was followed by multiple aftershocks, including a 6.4-magnitude tremor. Myanmar’s military-led government reported at least 144 deaths and 732 injuries, warning that casualties could rise. Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city, suffered extensive damage. Meanwhile, in Bangkok—hundreds of miles from the epicenter—rescue teams worked to free at least 110 people trapped in a collapsed high-rise. The city’s deputy governor confirmed at least eight fatalities from the collapse, with another person killed elsewhere in the city.
Images from Myanmar reveal widespread devastation, with buildings reduced to rubble, cracked roads, and collapsed bridges.
In Tuangoo, part of a mosque collapsed, killing three people, while a hotel in Aung Ban crumbled, resulting in at least two deaths and 20 injuries. The military government declared a state of emergency across six regions.
Already facing a humanitarian crisis due to civil war following the 2021 coup, Myanmar’s ruling junta appealed for international aid and urged citizens to donate blood due to the overwhelming number of injuries. International organizations, including the UN and the Red Cross, pledged assistance.
The disaster compounds Myanmar’s ongoing struggles, with media restrictions making it difficult to assess the full extent of damage.
Amnesty International warned that the military must allow unrestricted humanitarian access, as millions already face displacement and dire conditions.
In Thailand, authorities ordered school closures and evacuated high-rises in Bangkok, which was briefly designated an emergency zone.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra reassured the public that the risk of aftershocks and structural damage was minimal, stating it was safe for residents to return to their accommodations.
