March 28, 2025 | New Delhi / Bangkok / Naypyidaw:
A massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, sending strong tremors across Thailand, India, and Bangladesh. The quake caused widespread destruction and led to the collapse of a 30-storey building in Bangkok, where 43 workers are feared trapped.
Top 10 Updates on the Myanmar-Thailand Earthquake
1️⃣ State of Emergency in Bangkok
- Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has declared a state of emergency in Bangkok, following significant damage to infrastructure.
2️⃣ Building Collapse & Rescue Operations
- A 30-storey under-construction government building in Chatuchak collapsed within seconds, triggering rescue operations to free 43 trapped workers.
3️⃣ Myanmar Suffers Major Infrastructure Damage
- In Sagaing, Myanmar, a 90-year-old bridge was destroyed.
- The Mandalay-Yangon highway sustained heavy damage.
- Several religious shrines in Naypyidaw reported structural cracks.
4️⃣ Trading Suspended in Thailand
- The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) halted afternoon trading, citing safety concerns and infrastructure assessments.
5️⃣ Epicenter & Depth of the Earthquake
- The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported the epicenter 50 km east of Monywa, Myanmar, at a shallow depth of 10 km, amplifying its destructive impact.
6️⃣ Tremors Felt in India
- Mild tremors were reported in Kolkata and Imphal, causing panic among residents.
- Thangal Bazar in Manipur, known for its old structures, did not suffer damage.
7️⃣ Bangladesh Also Affected
- A 7.3-magnitude tremor shook Dhaka and Chattogram but no casualties have been reported yet.
8️⃣ Cultural Heritage at Risk
- Monasteries and shrines in Shan State, Myanmar, sustained damage, with fears that many ancient structures have developed cracks.
9️⃣ Viral Footage Shows Chaos
- Social media videos show:
- The Bangkok skyscraper collapsing into a dust cloud.
- Water sloshing from rooftop pools.
- People fleeing high-rise buildings in panic.
🔟 India Offers Help
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Myanmar and Thailand of India’s full support.
- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is in contact with the affected governments for possible assistance.