Devastating 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Myanmar and Thailand
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake. The tremors, which lasted for several minutes, were felt across a wide area, including parts of China. Eyewitness accounts describe intense shaking and widespread panic as buildings collapsed, trapping workers and residents alike.
Destruction and Casualties Reported
The earthquake’s impact was severe, particularly in Thailand, where a 30-storey skyscraper in Bangkok collapsed, trapping at least 43 workers beneath the rubble. Eyewitnesses reported a scene of chaos as residents fled into the streets, with water splashing from rooftop swimming pools and debris falling from buildings. Sirinya Nakuta, who was in her apartment with her children during the quake, recounted the terrifying experience: “It didn’t stop. I heard things falling down from upstairs like stones hitting on us. I told my kids, we can’t stay here and we have to get out of here. So we ran down.”
In Myanmar, the situation was equally dire. Officials declared a “mass casualty area” at Nay Pyi Taw General Hospital, where patients were treated outside due to the overwhelming number of injuries. The deputy police chief of Bang Sue district, Worapat Sukthai, reported hearing cries for help from those trapped under the collapsed tower, estimating that hundreds were injured, though the full extent of casualties remains unclear.
Emergency Response and International Appeal
In the aftermath of the earthquake, Myanmar’s military junta, which has ruled since a coup in 2021, declared a state of emergency across six regions and made a rare appeal for international assistance. Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing visited the Nay Pyi Taw hospital, urging the global community to provide humanitarian aid as soon as possible. Access to information in Myanmar is challenging, with internet restrictions and communication lines down, complicating the response efforts.
In Bangkok, public transport services were suspended as authorities assessed the damage. Eyewitness accounts from the city described a sudden onset of panic as people evacuated buildings. Zsuzsanna Vari-Kovacs recalled, “I was waiting for the bill and suddenly I started feeling the earth shake. At first, I thought it was just me, but then I saw everyone looking around. We ran outside immediately.”
Widespread Damage and Ongoing Concerns
The earthquake’s effects extended beyond immediate casualties, with significant structural damage reported in both Myanmar and Thailand. In Mandalay, images on social media showed collapsed buildings, including parts of the historic royal palace. A 90-year-old bridge crumbled, and sections of the main highway linking Yangon to Mandalay were torn apart. The United States Geological Survey issued a “red alert,” warning of probable high casualties and extensive damage, with estimates suggesting the death toll could reach into the thousands.
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