Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake Strikes Thailand and Myanmar
Introduction to the Disaster
A powerful earthquake rocked Thailand and neighboring Myanmar on Friday, killing at least three people in Bangkok and burying dozens when a high-rise building under construction collapsed. Footage shared on social media from Myanmar’s second-largest city showed widespread destruction, raising fears that many were trapped under the rubble or killed.
Earthquake Details
The magnitude 7.7 quake, with an epicenter near Mandalay in Myanmar, struck at midday and was followed by a strong magnitude 6.4 aftershock. The extent of the death, injury, and destruction — especially in Myanmar, which is embroiled in a brutal civil war that has already caused a widespread humanitarian crisis — was not yet clear. Myanmar’s government said blood was in high demand in the hardest-hit areas, and videos from the country showed multiple collapsed houses and buckled and cracked roads.
Impact on Bangkok
The sound of sirens echoed throughout central Bangkok and vehicles filled the streets, leaving some of the city’s already congested streets gridlocked. The elevated rapid transit system and subway were shut down. Pagodas in Myanmar’s capital, Naypyitaw, were damaged in Friday’s temblor.
(Aung Shine Oo / Associated Press)
While the area where the quake struck is prone to temblors, they are usually not so big and it is rare for them to be felt in the Thai capital.
Eyewitness Accounts
April Kanichawanakul, who works in an office building in Bangkok’s city center, at first didn’t even realize it was an earthquake, the first she’d ever experienced. “I just thought I was dizzy,” she said. She and her colleagues ran downstairs from the 10th floor of their building and waited outside for a signal that it was safe to go back in.
State of Emergency
Myanmar’s military-run government declared a state of emergency in six regions and states, including the capital Naypyitaw and Mandalay. It was not clear what the declaration meant since the entire country has been under a state of emergency since 2021, when the army seized power. Given the civil war, it was also not clear how help would get to many regions. The Red Cross said downed power lines are adding to challenges for their teams trying to reach the Mandalay and Sagaing regions and southern Shan state.
Crane-Topped Building Collapsed in a Cloud of Dust
A Thai official said three people were killed at the site of a high-rise building under construction in Bangkok. Another 90 are missing.
(Sakchai Lalit / Associated Press)
In Bangkok, a construction worker was killed when rubble from the collapsing building site hit his truck, and another was crushed by the falling debris, rescue worker Songwut Wangpon told reporters. Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said three people were killed at the site and 90 are missing.
Screaming and Panic as Buildings Swayed
Patients are evacuated from a Bangkok hospital after the magnitude 7.7 quake.
(Tadchakorn Kitchaiphon / Associated Press)
Bangkok’s city hall declared the city a disaster area to facilitate interagency aid and emergency help. The greater Bangkok area is home to more than 17 million people, many of whom live in high-rise apartments. “All of a sudden, the whole building began to move. Immediately there was screaming and a lot of panic,” said Fraser Morton, a tourist from Scotland who was in one of Bangkok’s many malls.
Bridge Collapses in Myanmar and Injuries Reported in China
In Mandalay, the earthquake damaged part of the former royal palace and buildings, according to videos and photos released on Facebook social media. While the area is prone to earthquakes, it is generally sparsely populated, and most houses are low-rise structures. In the Sagaing region just southwest of Mandalay, a 90-year-old bridge collapsed, and some sections of the highway connecting Mandalay and Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon, were also damaged.
Conclusion
The earthquake that struck Thailand and Myanmar has caused significant destruction and loss of life. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but it is clear that the region will need significant aid and support in the coming days and weeks. The international community must come together to provide assistance and help those affected by this devastating disaster.
FAQs
Q: What was the magnitude of the earthquake that struck Thailand and Myanmar?
A: The magnitude of the earthquake was 7.7.
Q: How many people were killed in the earthquake?
A: At least three people were killed in Bangkok, and the total number of deaths is not yet known.
Q: What was the extent of the damage in Myanmar?
A: The earthquake caused widespread destruction in Myanmar, including the collapse of buildings and bridges.
Q: How did the earthquake affect daily life in Bangkok?
A: The earthquake caused widespread disruption in Bangkok, with the elevated rapid transit system and subway shut down, and many people evacuated from their buildings.
Q: What is the current situation in Myanmar?
A: Myanmar is embroiled in a brutal civil war, which has already caused a widespread humanitarian crisis, and the earthquake has added to the challenges faced by the country.
