A massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar today, March 28, 2025, leaving a trail of destruction and shaking lives as far away as Thailand. The ground rumbled at 12:50 p.m. local time, with the epicenter just 16 kilometers northwest of Sagaing, near the bustling city of Mandalay. Families fled homes, hospitals turned into chaos, and the region braced for a tough road ahead.
Shallow Earthquake, Followed by Aftershock
The U.S. Geological Survey says this quake was shallow—only 10 kilometers deep—making its punch even harder. Minutes later, a 6.4 magnitude aftershock hit, adding to the panic. In Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-biggest city with over a million people, buildings crumbled, and the historic royal palace took a beating. A 90-year-old bridge in Sagaing collapsed, and roads linking Mandalay to Yangon buckled. “We ran out as everything shook—it was terrifying,” a Yangon resident told reporters, still rattled.
Myanmar Declares Emergency, Hospitals Overwhelmed
Myanmar’s military rulers declared an emergency across six regions, including the capital, Naypyidaw, where a major hospital became a “mass casualty area.” Patients spilled into parking lots, some still hooked to IVs, as medics scrambled. Early reports hint at significant damage—collapsed homes, a wrecked mosque in Taungoo with at least three dead, and a tea shop in Mandalay trapping people inside. “The situation is bad,” one witness said. With the country already torn by civil war since 2021, getting a clear picture is tough—communication lines are spotty, and many areas are hard to reach.
Thailand Also Hit, Building Collapses in Bangkok
Over 600 miles away in Bangkok, Thailand, the quake’s power was undeniable. A 30-story building under construction near Chatuchak Park crashed down, killing at least three workers and leaving dozens trapped. Rescuers are digging through rubble, with estimates of missing ranging from 43 to 90. “I saw it sway, then it just fell—people were screaming,” a bystander recalled. Water sloshed from rooftop pools, and high-rises swayed for minutes, sending thousands into the streets. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared Bangkok an “emergency zone,” shutting schools and urging calm as aftershocks loom.
Tremors Felt Across Borders
The devastation stretched beyond borders. Tremors rattled China’s Yunnan province, cracking homes in Ruili, and even reached Vietnam’s Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where lights flickered. Back in Myanmar, the Red Cross warns of a “large impact,” with roads, bridges, and dams at risk. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered help, saying, “We’re ready to assist.”
Death Toll Unclear, Rescue Operations Ongoing
For now, the death toll’s unclear—some fear it could climb into the thousands. In Myanmar, a nation already struggling, and Thailand, unprepared for such a jolt, today’s quake has left scars that’ll take time to heal. As night falls, rescue teams push on, and families hold tight, hoping for good news amidst the wreckage.