7.7-magnitude earthquake kills over 150 in Myanmar, Thailand

Myanmar authorities have confirmed at least 144 deaths and over 700 injuries after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit the country’s central region Friday afternoon.

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday afternoon, collapsing buildings, injuring hundreds, and sending tremors as far as Thailand and Vietnam. The quake, which occurred near the city of Sagaing at around 1:20 p.m. Hanoi time, was followed minutes later by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Myanmar: Emergency declared, casualties mount

Earthquake Kills Over 150 in Myanmar and Thailand - NewsLooks

Myanmar’s military government declared a state of emergency in six affected regions and made a rare appeal for international humanitarian assistance. Hundreds of casualties were rushed to hospitals, especially in the capital Naypyidaw, where damage was so extensive that many patients had to be treated outside due to structural concerns.

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said 144 people had been killed, with 732 confirmed injured, but warned the toll was “likely to rise”.

Houses collapsed during an earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar, March 28, 2025. Photo by AFP

A hospital official called the situation a “mass casualty area,” as parts of the emergency department’s entrance collapsed onto a car. Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing was seen visiting survivors at a hospital in Naypyidaw, AFP reported.

At least three people were confirmed dead in Bago Region after a mosque partially collapsed during prayers. Meanwhile, reports from Mandalay described buildings crumbling, bridges damaged, and people fleeing into the streets in fear. The historic Ava Bridge was among the damaged infrastructure, and a 90-year-old bridge in the Sagaing region also collapsed.

Thailand: Skyscraper collapse, Bangkok declared disaster zone

Horrifying Scenes Of Myanmar's Massive Earthquake Caught On Camera

In neighboring Thailand, at least eight people were confirmed dead after a 30-story skyscraper under construction in northern Bangkok collapsed, trapping workers under the rubble. The Thai capital was declared a disaster zone, and Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has placed emergency response teams on high alert.

Tremors rattled high-rise buildings across Bangkok, swaying towers, cracking walls, and causing water to slosh out of rooftop swimming pools. Videos circulating online showed a crane-topped building crumbling into a cloud of dust while onlookers screamed in panic.

Public transport systems, including the metro, temporarily shut down, and crowds poured into the streets. One office worker described doors and windows creaking as their building swayed for over two minutes. Despite the chaos, Bangkok’s airports remained operational, according to civil aviation authorities.

Vietnam: Tremors felt from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Though Vietnam did not report any casualties, residents in major cities experienced clear tremors. People living in high-rise buildings across Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City said they felt furniture shaking, chandeliers swaying, and in some cases, water splashing from fish tanks and rooftop pools.

Nguyen Quy, who lives on the 19th floor of a building in Hanoi’s Nam Tu Liem District, described watching trees on his balcony tremble for over 10 seconds. In Ho Chi Minh City, office workers rushed down staircases in panic as buildings swayed.

“I suddenly felt a slight shaking around 1:30 p.m.,” said Hoang Phung, an employee on the 23rd floor of a building in District 10. “People were anxious and quickly evacuated.”

Nguyen Xuan Anh, Director of the Institute of Geophysics under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, said aftershocks were expected but the earthquake was unlikely to cause any significant damage within Vietnam.

International support and outlook

India has offered “all possible assistance” to Myanmar and Thailand, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing prayers for everyone affected.

EU, France also said they are ‘ready’ to provide support.

Myanmar lies along the Sagaing Fault, one of the country’s most active seismic zones. According to USGS records, Myanmar has experienced several powerful earthquakes above magnitude 7.0 in the 20th century.

Authorities across the region continue rescue operations and damage assessments as aftershocks ripple through Southeast Asia.