New Delhi:
A massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake, and an aftershock of 6.8 magnitude, struck central Myanmar at 12.50pm (local time) Friday. The epicentre was 16km northwest of the city of Sagaing, and at a depth of 10km, the United States Geological Survey said. There are no reports of casualties so far.
No tsunami warning has been issued.
Tremors were felt as far away as northern Thailand, where some metro and rail services were suspended in capital Bangkok, and in China’s Yunnan province, according to Beijing’s quake agency.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is holding an “urgent meeting” to review the situation, while the China Earthquake Networks Center said the jolt in Yunan measured a powerful magnitude 7.9.
Terrifying videos circulating on X showed buildings shaking in Bangkok and other cities, with people running onto the streets in panic. “I heard it… I was sleeping in the house and then I ran as far as I could in my pyjamas out of the building,” Duangjai, a resident of popular tourist city Chiang Mai, told AFP.
One particularly horrifying video showed water from an infinity pool falling over the edge.
Whole Bangkok shook like Crazy! #Bangkok #earthquake pic.twitter.com/99v7ySZDGc
— Srushti Gopani (@DrSrushtiG) March 28, 2025
Another showed the water in a small pool in a private residence splashing violently, creating what looked like mini-tsunamis.
Big earthquake in Bangkok. Whole building was shaking for 3 min or so pic.twitter.com/ztizXSoGl1
— On The Rug (@On_the_Rug) March 28, 2025
And another showed an under-construction skyscraper collapsing entirely. According to the Open Source Intelligence Monitor on X, at least 40 workers have been reported missing.
Breaking: Video shows the moment a skyscraper under construction collapsed due to earthquake in Bangkok. pic.twitter.com/OIdxc4epKf
— PM Breaking News (@PMBreakingNews) March 28, 2025
The impact on affected regions in Myanmar is uncertain at this time.
There are reports of the old Sagaing Bridge over the Irrawaddy River and some residential buildings having collapsed, with images from Mandalay (around 24km from Sagaing) suggesting people may be trapped in the debris there too.
Devastation across the city of Mandalay in Myanmar, as a result of today’s 7.7 magnitude earthquake, with dozens of buildings having collapsed as well as the Ava Bridge over the Irrawaddy River. pic.twitter.com/8YE8KsxXws
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 28, 2025
Earthquakes are relatively common in Myanmar, where six strong quakes of 7.0 magnitude or more struck between 1930 and 1956 near the Sagaing Fault, which runs north to south through the country.
A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake, in the ancient capital Bagan in central Myanmar, killed three people in 2016, also toppling spires and crumbling temple walls at the tourist destination.
The impoverished nation has a strained medical system, especially in its rural states.
With input from agencies
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