A devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck Southeast Asia on Friday, resulting in the collapse of a high-rise building in Thailand and causing significant damage in Myanmar. The quake, which originated near Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay, has left thousands feared dead.
The catastrophic event unfolded around midday, with rescue teams working tirelessly to locate survivors amidst the wreckage. The US Geological Survey (USGS) issued a red alert, indicating the potential for a death toll ranging from 1,000 to 10,000. The agency warned of high casualties and extensive damage, suggesting that the disaster’s impact is likely widespread and may necessitate a national or international response.
In Myanmar, one of the world’s poorest nations, at least 144 deaths were confirmed swiftly, with images and videos from two severely affected cities revealing extensive damage. Officials reported at least 732 injuries and declared a state of emergency in the capital, Naypyidaw. Myanmar’s armed forces commander, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, warned that the casualty count is expected to rise as buildings have collapsed in several areas and rescue operations continue.
The quake’s impact extended hundreds of miles from the epicenter, including to neighboring Thailand. In the capital, Bangkok, a skyscraper under construction collapsed, killing at least eight people, according to Thai authorities. Two other deaths were confirmed elsewhere in the city, and at least 100 people were reportedly trapped under debris from the collapsed building.
Social media was flooded with dramatic footage of the 30-story building, topped with a crane, crumbling into a cloud of dust near the city’s popular Chatuchak market. Onlookers could be heard screaming and running from the scene. Numerous individuals were rescued from the rubble, but many more remain unaccounted for, according to Thailand’s Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
In Myanmar, at least three people were killed when a mosque in the town of Taungoo partially collapsed. Local media also reported the collapse of a hotel in the city of Aung Ban, resulting in at least two deaths and 20 injuries. The USGS reported that the quake, which struck at lunchtime, had a depth of 6.2 miles.
The quake’s aftershocks were felt strongly in Bangkok, where city authorities declared the capital a disaster-stricken area. The city, home to over 17 million people, many of whom live in high-rise apartments, was left in chaos. Sirens echoed throughout the city, and vehicles flooded the streets, causing gridlock.
The earthquake also caused significant damage in Mandalay, including to the former royal palace. A 90-year-old bridge collapsed in the nearby Sagaing region, and sections of the highway connecting Mandalay and Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, were damaged. In the capital Naypyitaw, religious shrines and homes were damaged by the quake.