Myanmar Earthquake: With the efforts of rescuers to dig through the huge amount of debris to reach people trapped in it, the death toll due to the earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand crossed 1600 on Saturday 29th March 2025.
Myanmar Earthquake 2025
On the afternoon of early Friday 28th March, a shallow 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck northwest of the city of Sagaing in central Myanmar, only to be followed minutes later by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock. The aftershocks have destroyed not only buildings but also critical infrastructure across Myanmar, such as roads and bridges. They have also completely destroyed Mandalay, which is the second biggest city in the country, with over 1.7 million residents.
Myanmar Earthquake Casualties: The statement by the military administration of Myanmar, junta, indicates that about 1644 people died from the earthquake, while more than 3400 were injured in the country: at least 139 of these people are either missing or unaccounted for. Killed are 10 more people confirmed in Bangkok.
The Numbers Will Definitely Rise
“This was a rare appeal for assistance from the junta chief Min Aung Hlaing to the international community for forceful assistance to Myanmar, indicating the severest fallout this country has suffered from the earthquake,” said a senior US diplomat.
The emergency is declared for Myanmar’s worst affected areas.
The backing of support now extends to Myanmar from the US, India, China, and various other countries. Myanmar Earthquake intensity could be gauged in that tremors were evidently strong enough to destroy buildings across Bangkok, hundreds of kilometers away from the epicenter.
Myanmar’s Earthquake Casualties: An ancient Buddhist pagoda in Mandalay was reduced to total rubble. Reports indicate that such teams have flown in different nations’ equipment but have been held up because the airport in those cities is damaged.
In Naypyidaw, crews were acting to repair the damaged roads while the phone, electricity, and internet services remain entirely down for the greater part of the city.
In Bangkok, rescue workers spend sleepless nights at the site trying to extricate the buried victims of the collapsed 30-storey skyscraper.
Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt stated that eight people were confirmed dead in the building collapse so far, eight more were saved alive, while 79 are still unaccounted for at the building.
Control Tower at Myanmar Airport Collapsed
Myanmar’s Earthquake Casualties: Satellite pictures from Planet Labs PBC reveal that the earthquake collapsed the tower used for controlling air traffic at Naypyitaw International Airport.
An immediate response was not available to determine the extent of injuries caused by the collapse since this tower would have personnel inside of it by the time of the earthquakes Friday. It probably would have stopped air traffic into the international airport as well, as all electronics and radar would be routed into the tower for controllers, AP reported.
Myanmar Earthquake: 1,000+ dead & 2,000+ injured | Hospitals Overwhelmed | Blood in high demand
Myanmar earthquake that shook Myanmar on Friday has so far claimed about 1,000 lives and injured more than 2,000, with the toll expected to rise as rescue efforts pick up pace. Meanwhile, in Thailand, a high-rise building under construction in Bangkok collapsed, leaving at least 6 dead.
“International support for the relief effort has been requested, while I have accepted some offers of support from the AHA Centre and India,” Min Aung Hlaing, the junta chief, stated in a video address on state broadcaster MRTV.
It had a 7.7 magnitude and struck just past midday on Friday generally near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city. The shock was followed, almost 11 minutes later, with a strong 6.4 magnitude aftershock.
Myanmar is located in an area with active seismicity, where most tremors occur in sparsely populated areas. However, Friday’s quake affected cities.
US Geological Survey estimates suggest that over 1,000 may have died.
The military-junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing warned of more deaths and casualties, inviting “any country” to help and donate, while Major General Zaw Min Tun reported that hospitals in Naypyidaw, Mandalay, and Sagaing were inundated with victims.
UN Allocates $5M For Myanmar’s Earthquake Casualties
According to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the UN is mobilising in Southeast Asia for assistance to those in need with a release of USD 5 million to start relief efforts.
Donald Trump extended his condolences to those affected by the quake, noting that “We have been in touch with Myanmar officials for some assistance” and that “We will be helping”.
Myanmar’s government reported that blood was in high demand in the worst-hit areas. Earlier governments have been slow in accepting foreign aid, but Min Aung Hlaing stated that Myanmar was willing to accept support now.
India will send more than 15 tons of relief assistance to Myanmar earthquake affected areas, including tents, sleeping bags, food, water purifiers, hygiene kits, and essential medicines. The relief material will be flown from Air Force Station Hindon by an Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft.
The tremors were felt in Yunnan and Sichuan provinces of China, and damage was reported from Ruili, with the tremors reported strong enough in Mangshi to make people unable to stand.
Aftershocks followed the main Myanmar earthquake, with a tremor measuring 4.2 magnitude hitting Myanmar at 11.56 p.m. local time on Friday. Confirmed by the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the tremor was at a depth of 10km, increasing chances of further aftershocks.
Mandalay, with a population of around 1.5 million, sustains heavy damages. Rescue teams are still trying to extricate monks trapped under rubble in the Phaya Taung Monastery.
Amnesty International said that the earthquake was timely for Myanmar when the displaced people still needed relief and with U.S. foreign assistance decreased under the Trump administration.
Pope Francis, currently recovering from a five-week hospitalisation for life-threatening double pneumonia, offered prayers for the earthquake victims. “The pope has been informed of the disaster in Myanmar earthquake and is praying for the dramatic situation and for the many victims, also in Thailand,” the Vatican said in a statement.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said she had instructed relevant agencies to prepare and address the situation, while warning of possible aftershocks. She did not mention any casualties.
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