The devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025, has left over 1,600 dead, with rescue teams working around the clock in hopes of finding more survivors.
The quake, centered near Mandalay, also affected neighboring Thailand, where the collapse of a 30-story building in Bangkok claimed several lives.
According to NBC News, the earthquake struck at 1:30 p.m. local time, with a 6.7-magnitude aftershock hitting just 11 minutes later.
Another tremor of 5.1 magnitude was recorded near the capital, Naypyidaw.
In Myanmar, significant destruction has been reported, including the collapse of a Buddhist monastery and a clock tower in Mandalay.
Hospitals are overwhelmed, and the military government has declared a state of emergency in multiple regions.
Chadchart Sittipunt, the governor of Mandalay, described the ongoing rescue efforts, stating, “Rescue teams are detecting signs of life from about 15 people trapped under the rubble.”
Teams are using drones, dogs, and heavy equipment to search for survivors, but the situation remains dire.
International aid efforts have already begun, with Russia and China sending rescue teams and supplies.
“The added stress of meeting the needs of those injured in this earthquake will place an unparalleled strain on already stretched resources,” warned Mohammed Riyas, director of the International Rescue Committee for Myanmar.
The U.S. Geological Survey has predicted that the death toll could rise significantly, with economic losses potentially surpassing Myanmar’s entire GDP.
As the rescue mission continues, Myanmar’s military government has opened routes for foreign assistance.
