Rescuers work at the site of an under-construction high-rise building that collapsed on Friday after an earthquake in Bangkok. (Photo: AP)Myanmar, Thailand, Bangkok Earthquake Highlights: The death toll in Myanmar has now risen to 1,644, news agency Reuters reported quoting AFP, which cited the country’s junta. The 7.7 magnitude quake, which jolted Myanmar and neighbouring countries on Friday, has left more than 3,400 people injured, AFP said quoting the junta’s statement. At least 139 people remain missing. The rescue efforts in Mandalay — the second largest city in Myanmar which was close to the epicentre of the quake — were hampered due to power outages as several still remain trapped in the debris of buildings, Al Jazeera reported.
What other areas have been hit? Rescue workers are still scrambling to find survivors in Myanmar and in Thailand. The quake had destroyed buildings, downed bridges, and buckled roads across various regions of Myanmar. Rescuers in the Thai capital Bangkok are also fighting through rubble for workers trapped when a 30-storey skyscraper under construction collapsed. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt told AFP that about 10 people had been confirmed killed across the city, most in the skyscraper collapse. But up to 100 workers were still unaccounted for at the building, close to the Chatuchak weekend market that is a magnet for tourists.
Which countries have sent aid? India has sent a search and rescue team and a medical team as well as provisions, while Malaysia’s foreign ministry said the country will send 50 people on Sunday to help identify and provide aid to the worst-hit areas. The United Nations allocated $5 million to start relief efforts. President Donald Trump said Friday that the US was going to help with the response. Russia’s emergencies ministry dispatched two planes carrying 120 rescuers and supplies, according to a report from the Russian state news agency Tass. China, too, has sent blankets and food for survivors, along with teams of rescuers with drones and other equipment, NYT reported.
The devastating earthquake has claimed over 1,600 lives, with at least five confirmed deaths at the Bangkok skyscraper collapse site.
As rescue teams work around the clock, families anxiously await news of their loved ones, with many still believed to be trapped under the rubble.
Myanmar's anti-coup fighters, the People's Defence Force (PDF), have announced a two-week ceasefire in areas affected by the recent devastating earthquake, allowing for rescue and relief operations to take place.
The PDF will pause offensive operations starting March 30, 2025, while maintaining defensive actions, according to the shadow National Unity Government (NUG).
The NUG, formed by lawmakers ousted in the 2021 coup, has pledged to collaborate with the UN and NGOs to ensure the safety of relief operations and plans to establish temporary medical and rescue camps in regions under its control.
The UK has pledged £10 million in humanitarian aid to support Myanmar's relief efforts following a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that has claimed over 1,600 lives.
This funding will be used to provide essential services, including emergency food, water, medicine, and shelter, to those affected in the hardest-hit areas, with UK-funded local partners already mobilizing a humanitarian response on the ground.
The UK is sending life-saving aid to the people of Myanmar following the devastating earthquake on Friday.
— Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) March 29, 2025
Read more: https://t.co/zhSATbnMV5 pic.twitter.com/gARF3XO7IX
The Mandalay General Hospital is overcrowded with victims of the earthquake, as per Al Jazeera, with people being forced to rush to a private hospital or to the nearby town of Pyin Oo Lwin. Mandalay resident Sandar Win spoke to Al Jazeera, sharing that her six-year-old son had to be taken to a private hospital, where he was receving treatment, after being turned away from the government hospital. Ambulances were also seen moving towards Pyin Oo Lwin, located around 64km east of Mandalay.
After Myanmar's military junta provided information on the death toll and injuries in the 7.7 magnitude earthquake which struck the country Saturday, the Bangkok officials have now said that at least ten people were confirmed dead in the city, as per BBC. The officials said that 42 people had sustained injuries while 78 remain missing.
A woman was rescued alive from the collapsed apartment block in Myanmar's Mandalay more than a day after the quake of 7.7 magnitude jolted the country, Al Jazeera reported quoting news agency AFP. The woman, rescued from the Sky Villa Condominium, was taken to the hospital for treatment, AFP reported.
The control tower in Myanmar's Nay Pyitaw collapsed in the earthquake on Saturday, Associated Press reported citing satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC. The photos show the tower -- which controlled the air traffic in Myanmar's capital -- toppled over, with its base visible, as per the AP report. While the tower is said to have had some staff members inside it during the time of its collapse, it was not immediately clear whether there had been any injuries in the incident.
Rescue workers on the site of the rubble of a Bangkok high-rise building which collapsed due to the earthquake said that they have found signs of life in the debris of the 30-storey tower block, Al Jazeera reported quoting local media. “We have about 72 hours to help them because that is the approximate time a person can survive without water and food," Suriyachai Rawiwan, director of the national disaster relief organisation said, as per radio station Thai PBS. He further said that some of the survivors remain trapped metres below the surface.
The chief of Myanmar's military junta, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, visited the country's second largest city of Mandalay, which suffered severe destruction on account of being located near the epicentre of the earthquake. As per a statement released on Saturday, he " “instructed authorities to expedite search and rescue efforts", Al Jazeera reported. Min Aung Hlaing had also urged other countries to provide assistance in the wake of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake on Friday, which was followed by several aftershocks.
Several students are still believed to be trapped in the debris of the Wisdom Villa private high school in the city of Mandalay in Myanmar, New York Times reported. The report cited an AFP news agency video, which shows rescuers calling out names to hear any signs of life, as per NYT.
More than 90 people remain trapped in the debris of an apartment block in the city of Mandalay in central Myanmar, Al Jazeera reported quoting AFP, which cited Red Cross officials. The building, Sky Villa Condominium, was among the worst hit in the 7.7 magnitude earthquake which shook the country on Friday. “Nine people are dead and 44 have been extracted alive,” the official said, as per Al Jazeera.
After overcrowding in hospitals in Mandalay, the second largest city in Myanmar, a day after a quake jolted the country, streets in the city are congested with ambulances, as per New York Times. The vehicles were rushing to the nearby town of Pyin Oo Lwin, two hours from Mandalay, after the city's hospitals reached their occupancy capacity on Saturday.
India is sending a contingent of 80 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel to Myanmar, in order to aid the relief and rescue work in the region, a day after an earthquake of 7.7 magnitude hit the country, followed by an aftershock. The personnel, being sent under 'Operation Brahma' will carry equipment like strong concrete cutters, hammers and drill machines to facilitate the search operations.
Myanmar’s military regime has opened a temporary hospital and relief camp at Mandalay Airport, though it has not specified its capacity, reported BBC. The airport remains non-functional due to runway damage, but efforts are underway to resume flights. Meanwhile, Airports of Thailand confirmed that operations at six major airports, including Bangkok and Chiang Mai, have returned to normal, as per BBC.
China will provide Myanmar with 100 million yuan ($13.77 million) worth of aid after an earthquake that killed more than 1,000 people, its embassy said on Saturday. The aid will include tents, blankets, emergency medical kits, food and water and other essential items, with the first batch arriving March 31, according to the Chinese embassy's Facebook page.
(Reuters)
Rescue workers in Mandalay are struggling to reach seven people trapped under a collapsed high-rise building following the powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar’s second-largest city. A rescuer involved in the operation said 50 people had been pulled from the rubble overnight, as per BBC. However, more than 24 hours after the quake, several remain trapped.
“We are still trying to pull out the rest of the trapped people, but we need large machines. They are still shouting, and we can still hear their voices, but we can’t know where they are," the rescue worker said, as per BBC. Calling for urgent assistance, they added, "If we can get the support of those big machines, we can remove the damage and then pull out the trapped people."
India sent 15 tonnes of relief materials to Myanmar under 'Operation Brahma' after a powerful earthquake hit the country and Thailand, PTI reported. A C130J aircraft delivered supplies, including tents, blankets, food, water purifiers, and medicines, to Yangon. Two more IAF aircraft carrying aid will depart soon, officials said. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar posted on 'X', "#operationbrahma gets underway. First tranche of humanitarian aid from India has reached the Yangon Airport in Myanmar."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern, stating, "India stands ready to offer all possible assistance," and directed authorities to remain on standby.
#operationbrahma gets underway.The Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN recognises the urgent need for humanitarian assistance for Myanmar following a major earthquake and is ready to support recovery efforts, its foreign ministers said on Saturday. "ASEAN affirms its solidarity and will work closely to coordinate humanitarian assistance, support and facilitate relief operations, and ensure timely and effective humanitarian response," the Association of Southeast Asian Nations foreign ministers said in a joint statement.
(Reuters)
New Zealand has pledged NZ$2 million (£880,000) to aid Myanmar’s earthquake relief efforts, directing funds to the International Red Cross for essential supplies and medical assistance, reported BBC. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said New Zealand would “continue to closely monitor the humanitarian response.” Australia also expressed solidarity with those affected, stating it is “monitoring the humanitarian situation closely.” Both governments confirmed no reports of injuries or fatalities among their citizens, as per BBC.
The powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar released energy equivalent to 334 atomic bombs, geologist Jess Phoenix told CNN. She warned that aftershocks could persist for months as the Indian tectonic plate continues to collide with the Eurasian plate beneath Myanmar.
Rescue workers in Bangkok have detected vital signs from 15 individuals still trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building near Chatuchak market, according to the city's governor, Chadchart Sittipunt. With over 100 people believed to be trapped, authorities are racing against time, deploying heavy machinery to remove debris in the urgent search for survivors, with Governor Sittipunt emphasizing that "every second counts in saving lives". (BBC)
Following a powerful earthquake in neighboring Myanmar, Bangkok's governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, announced that the city has received over 2,000 reports of structural cracks in buildings, prompting a massive inspection effort. "Safety is our top priority," Chadchart said, adding "Despite the collapse of one under-construction building, no completed buildings have suffered structural failure." The governor assured that detailed inspections will be conducted on 700 structures, with a focus on high-rise buildings in the inner city, where most of the cracks were reported.
(with inputs from CNN)
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has extended his condolences to Myanmar's military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, following a powerful earthquake that struck the country on Friday, killing hundreds . China has also dispatched search and rescue teams to Myanmar to aid in relief efforts, with the first team arriving in Yangon on Saturday morning, marking the first international rescue team to reach the country, as reported CNN.
The devastating earthquake in Myanmar has claimed 1,000 lives, with 2,376 people injured and 30 still missing, according to the country's military. This update comes as rescue efforts continue, with aid pouring in from countries like India, which has sent 15 tonnes of relief material, including food, water purifiers, and essential medicines.
India has swiftly sent humanitarian aid to Myanmar after a devastating earthquake struck the country, killing hundreds. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pledged India's support yesterday, saying Indian authorities were "on standby" to assist Myanmar.
Concerned by the situation in the wake of the Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Praying for the safety and wellbeing of everyone. India stands ready to offer all possible assistance. In this regard, asked our authorities to be on standby. Also asked the MEA to remain in touch…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 28, 2025
Relatives of workers at a high-rise building under construction that collapsed after a strong earthquake wait as rescuers search for victims, in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: AP)
Rescuers search for victims at the site of a high-rise building under construction that collapsed after a strong earthquake in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: AP)
People stand near a damaged construction site of a high-rise building in Bangkok, Thailand, as rescuers search for victims following its collapse after Friday's earthquake. (Photo: AP)
The devastating earthquake in Myanmar has claimed 694 lives and left 1,670 people injured, according to the country's military junta, as reported by Reuters.
Myanmar's detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi has not been affected by the recent earthquakes and remains in jail in the capital Nay Pyi Taw, according to a source close to prison authorities, as reported by the BBC. Aung San Suu Kyi has been under detention since the military coup in 2021, which ousted her from power. She was transferred to house arrest in 2023, but was later relocated back to jail in the capital.
The US Geological Service's automated system, Pager, estimates that yesterday's earthquake in Myanmar could result in over 10,000 fatalities, based on the intensity of the shaking and population density in the affected area. However, this is only a preliminary estimate and does not take into account secondary disasters such as landslides, liquefaction, and tsunamis, with the current death toll standing at 144.
(Inputs from BBC)
Minor tremors continued to rock Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, according to the BBC. Many residents spent the night outdoors, fearful of another powerful quake like the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the region yesterday.
Myanmar's junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing, has made a rare appeal for global assistance in response to the devastating earthquake that struck the country, killing at least 144 people and injuring over 730.
In a televised address, Min Aung Hlaing invited "any country, any organisation, or anyone in Myanmar to come and help," adding that he had "opened all ways for foreign aid". The US, EU, Asean, and China have pledged support, marking a significant development in the country's response to the crisis.
A 37-member Chinese disaster response team has reached Myanmar to support ongoing relief operations, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The team, dispatched from Yunnan, has brought 112 sets of emergency rescue equipment, including earthquake early warning systems, drones, and portable satellites.
(With inputs from BBC)
A power outage has struck Myanmar's two largest cities, Mandalay and Yangon, leaving residents without electricity and hindering communication, according to BBC. The lack of power is expected to pose significant challenges for rescuers working through the night to search for survivors amidst the earthquake devastation.
Despite announcing plans to cut nearly all remaining jobs at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and shut the agency, US President Donald Trump has promised that the US will provide assistance to Myanmar following a devastating earthquake.
This move comes after Trump's administration told Congress of its plan to dismantle USAID, sparking concerns among humanitarian aid experts that the firings and funding cuts will hinder the US response to global crises, including the earthquake in Myanmar.
A fresh earthquake with a magnitude of 4.2 on the Richter Scale struck Myanmar on Friday at 11:56 pm local time, the National Center for Seismology (NCS) reported. The quake occurred at a depth of 10 km, increasing the likelihood of aftershocks, with its epicenter recorded at Latitude 22.15 N and Longitude 95.41 E.
The United Nations is rallying support for Myanmar, where a devastating earthquake has claimed nearly 150 lives, according to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Guterres stated that the Myanmar government has requested international assistance, and the UN team in Myanmar is already working to mobilise resources and provide support to those affected, with the country being the weakest in the region to withstand this disaster.
China has pledged to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to Myanmar following a powerful earthquake that struck the region. China's foreign ministry stated, "We stand ready to do our best to provide emergency humanitarian assistance and support to the affected areas". The ministry expressed deep sympathies to Myanmar, highlighting the strong "pauk-phaw" friendship between the two nations, signifying their historically close ties.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed willingness to assist Burma and Thailand in the wake of a devastating earthquake. In a recent post, Rubio stated, "My prayers go out to the people of Burma and Thailand who are impacted by the earthquake... We've been in contact with these countries and, as @POTUS said, stand ready to provide assistance".
My prayers go out to the people of Burma and Thailand who are impacted by the earthquake.
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 28, 2025
Grateful to confirm our teams on the ground are safe and secure amidst reports of severe damage and casualties. We've been in contact with these countries and, as @POTUS said, stand ready…
Rescue workers at the scene of a collapsed high-rise building in Bangkok, still under construction, are facing a daunting challenge as falling debris continues to pose safety risks, according to BBC News.
Despite the use of sniffer dogs and drones to locate survivors, rescuers say it remains difficult to pinpoint the area to enter safely, with red steel beams and rubble piled high, hindering their efforts to reach those trapped underneath.
Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said he expected the toll to rise and he was inviting “any country, any organisation” to help with relief efforts.
At least 144 people have been killed and 732 injured in Myanmar after a major earthquake struck the country on Friday, according to state-run MRTV on Telegram.
Earlier in the day, eyewitnesses and doctors provided separate reports of casualties, but an official death toll had not been confirmed at the time.
The full extent of the destruction remains unclear, especially as Myanmar is embroiled in a civil war, and information is tightly controlled. Officials expect the death toll to rise as rescue operations continue.
The death toll in Bangkok has risen to eight, according to the city’s governor, Chadchart Sittipunt.
Among the victims, seven people were killed at the construction site of the collapsed high-rise building, which was severely damaged by the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar has killed at least 12 people, and the country urgently needs international assistance, according to Zin Mar Aung, the shadow foreign minister of Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG).
Speaking to Reuters on Friday, Zin Mar Aung said that anti-junta militia forces, known as the People’s Defence Forces (PDF), were stepping in to provide humanitarian aid.
"It’s very serious, we need humanitarian and technical assistance from the international community," she stated, highlighting that internet restrictions imposed by the ruling junta were hampering communications in some of the worst-affected areas.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar this afternoon, killing at least 20 people and causing tremors in Thailand and China. The quake, centered near Mandalay, was followed by a 6.4 aftershock, here is all you need to know about the quake.
🔹 State of Emergency: Myanmar's military declared an emergency in six regions, including Mandalay and Naypyitaw, and launched rescue efforts.
🔹 High-Rise Collapse in Bangkok: At least three people died, and 90 are missing after a building collapsed. Seven were rescued. Bangkok was declared a disaster area.
🔹Dams at Risk: The Red Cross warned of potential damage to Myanmar’s large-scale dams.
🔹Public Infrastructure Hit: Buildings, expressways, and key facilities in Myanmar were damaged. Bangkok's subway was temporarily shut.
🔹 Rescue Ops Ongoing: Search teams continue working in Myanmar and Bangkok. Strong tremors were also felt in China's Yunnan province, but no casualties were reported.
Read the FULL REPORT HERE
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday has caused widespread destruction, with its tremors felt hundreds of miles away.
Authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage, but the quake’s impact has been reported across Thailand, China, and India.
A map below illustrates the intensity of the shaking, showing how far-reaching the earthquake's effects were beyond Myanmar’s borders.
(Source:USGS)
Strong tremors were reported in southwest China's Yunnan province, which borders Myanmar, after an earthquake struck the neighboring country on Friday, according to state media.
As of now, no casualties have been reported in Yunnan, state-run Xinhua news agency said.
The quake, which was felt at 2:20 p.m. (local time), prompted many residents in the provincial capital Kunming to rush outdoors to ensure their safety.
The quake of magnitude 7.7 was the strongest one anywhere in the world in the last two years, USGS data show.
The epicentre of the earthquake was about 17.2 km from Mandalay, which has a population of around 1.5 million people. It was a shallow earthquake at a depth of just 10 km, according to USGS.
Read HERE what caused the earthquake
Images from Thailand have been coming in via the newswires:
People who evacuated from buildings following earthquake in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Chutima Lalit)
Rescuers walk at the site of a high-rise building under construction that collapsed after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Hospital patients lay on beds outdoors after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
People who evacuated from buildings following earthquake in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Chutima Lalit)
People wait to be told it is safe to go back inside the Sathorn Gardens condominium building after an earthquake in Bangkok, Friday, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Brian P. D. Hannon)
Myanmar National Airlines has cancelled some flights due to the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the country on Friday, it said on its Facebook page, Reuters reported.
Thailand’s Defence Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, confirmed that 90 people are missing and three have died after a high-rise under construction collapsed during a powerful earthquake in Bangkok.
While Wechayachai did not provide further details on the rescue efforts, first responders reported that seven people have been rescued from outside the collapsed building, according to the Associated Press.
Three people have been confirmed dead in Bangkok after a powerful earthquake struck neighboring Myanmar, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said on Friday.
The governor warned of possible aftershocks but urged residents to remain calm, stating that the situation was largely under control. Authorities received 169 reports of building damage across the city.
Urban rail services in Bangkok were temporarily suspended but are expected to resume operations on Saturday.
Myanmar's ruling military on Friday declared a state of emergency in multiple regions after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck in the country, reported Reuters. "The state will make inquiries on the situation quickly and conduct rescue operations along with providing humanitarian aid," it said on the Telegram messaging app.
Thailand's capital has been declared a disaster area following a strong earthquake in neighboring Myanmar, Bangkok city hall said, as per Reuters. The Bangkok governor has been placed in charge of coordinating the disaster response, it said.
A strong earthquake in Myanmar has caused damage to many high-rise buildings in the Thai capital Bangkok, its governor said. Chadchart Sittipunt said the number of buildings damaged was not yet known and inspections were underway. He urged people to be cautious.
(Reuters)
Bangkok emergency responder says 7 people rescued, 2 dead after building collapse triggered by earthquake, reported AP.
At least three people have died after a mosque in Myanmar partially collapsed when a strong earthquake struck the Southeast Asian nation on Friday, two eyewitnesses told Reuters. "We were saying prayers when the shaking started... Three died on the spot," said one of the people who spoke to Reuters from the town of Taungnoo in Bago region.
(Reuters)
An officer from the Myanmar Fire Services Department told the Reuters news agency, “We have started the search and going around Yangon to check for casualties and damage. So far, we have no information yet.”
The earthquake caused a skyscraper under construction to collapse in Bangkok and toppling buildings in Myanmar’s Mandalay, reported Reuters. At least one person was killed, and dozens were rescued from the rubble in Bangkok, Thailand’s emergency services reported. Witnesses described panic as people ran into the streets, with water spilling from an elevated hotel pool.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the quake at 7.7 magnitude with a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). It struck near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, where social media posts showed collapsed buildings and debris, though authorities have yet to confirm casualties. In Yangon, people fled buildings, while tremors were also felt in China’s Yunnan province. In downtown Bangkok, office towers swayed for minutes, prompting mass evacuations.
All flights in and out of the Thai capital are operating normally following a strong earthquake in neighbouring Myanmar that rattled Bangkok, the civil aviation department said.
(Reuters)
The situation in Bangkok remains serious following an earthquake in Myanmar but no state of emergency has been declared in the Thai capital, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said.
(Reuters)
