Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, was hit by a strong 7.7-magnitude earthquake that damaged a lot of buildings. Thai and Vietnamese people were also affected by the earthquake. In Bangkok, a 30-story building fell, trapping 43 workers. At least one person has been reported dead.
Major Developments:
Skyscraper Collapses in Bangkok, Fatalities Confirmed
NEW VIDEO: Skyscraper under construction collapses as massive earthquake hits Bangkok. No word on casualties pic.twitter.com/QhoLEEnd7b
— BNO News (@BNONews) March 28, 2025
Thailand’s National Institute of Emergency Medicine has confirmed at least one fatality following the collapse of a 30-story under-construction government building near Chatuchak market in Bangkok. Emergency crews are working to rescue the 43 workers trapped under the debris.
Mandalay and Surrounding Regions Suffer Heavy Damage
Reports say that Mandalay, Myanmar has a lot of damage to buildings, including parts of the old royal house. In the Sagaing area, a famous bridge that is 90 years old has fallen down, blocking roads and parts of the highway that connects Mandalay and Yangon.
Recorded Were strong Aftershocks
Soon after the initial earthquake, there occurred a 6.4-magnitude aftershock that worsened matters. Yangon residents evacuated their houses in panic, but nobody has been injured yet.
Bangkok Declares a State of Emergency
Declared a state of emergency in Bangkok, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has enabled cooperation among those providing aid.
Later, though, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul made it clear that while the situation is serious, emergency steps are still being thought about.
First-Hand Accounts of the Earthquake’s Impact
Witnesses in Bangkok talked about how scary it was when buildings shook strongly. Scottish tourist Fraser Morton, who was in a shopping mall, recalled, “All of a sudden, the whole building began to move. There was screaming, people running in panic down escalators, and the sound of things crashing.” Many residents and tourists sought safety in open spaces like Benjasiri Park.
Myanmar Authorities Begin Search Efforts
Myanmar’s Fire Services Department has begun damage assessments and search efforts in Yangon and other affected areas. “So far, we have no confirmed casualty numbers, but our teams are conducting checks,” an official told Reuters.
Epicenter and Regional Impact
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) says that the epicentre of the earthquake was about 17.2 kilometres from Mandalay and only 10 kilometres deep. Even though the area is prone to earthquakes, the size of this one has caused a lot of damage, particularly since Myanmar is still in the middle of a civil war.
What’s Next?
Rescue attempts are still going on in both Myanmar and Thailand. Emergency teams are looking for lives and figuring out how bad the damage is. As aftershocks continue, the government warns people to stay alert.
Stay tuned for more news as more information about this developing situation comes in.
