Myanmar Earthquake: A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, on Friday, killing more than 150 people and causing widespread destruction. The quake, the most powerful to hit the country in over a century, also impacted neighboring Thailand, where buildings collapsed, and lives were lost. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has warned that the death toll could surpass 10,000 as rescue efforts continue.
The tremors were so strong that they triggered building collapses hundreds of miles away in Bangkok, Thailand. At least 10 people have died in the Thai capital, where authorities are scrambling to rescue more than 100 individuals trapped under the debris of an under-construction high-rise.
Emergency response teams are working tirelessly to clear the rubble and locate survivors. “We are doing everything we can to reach those trapped. The situation is critical,” said a spokesperson for Bangkok’s emergency services.
Myanmar, already struggling under the weight of a civil war following a 2021 military coup, is facing severe difficulties in responding to the disaster. The country’s weak infrastructure is making rescue and relief operations exceedingly difficult.
Aid organizations have raised concerns over communication blackouts and damaged roads, which are slowing down efforts to reach affected communities. “Getting aid to those in need is proving to be a monumental challenge,” said a representative from an international humanitarian group. “The destruction of key roads and the unstable political situation are further complicating our work.”
Since the initial earthquake struck, at least 14 aftershocks have been recorded, according to an interactive map on the USGS website. These aftershocks, occurring over several hours, have ranged in magnitude from 3.0 to 5.0, with the strongest measuring 6.7 just 10 minutes after the main quake.
Among the most significant tremors were a 4.9 and the 6.7-magnitude aftershock, both occurring roughly 20 miles from Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city. The city has suffered extensive damage, with many buildings reduced to rubble. The pattern of the aftershocks suggests they are spreading both north and south of the epicenter, forming a line of seismic activity.
As rescue operations continue, the full scale of the devastation is yet to be determined. Experts fear the number of casualties could rise significantly as emergency teams reach more remote areas. With Myanmar already in turmoil due to political unrest, the earthquake has added another layer of crisis to an already fragile nation.
Authorities in both Myanmar and Thailand are urging residents to stay alert for further aftershocks and potential building collapses. The international community is also mobilizing to provide aid and assistance to the affected regions. However, with communications down and infrastructure severely damaged, the road to recovery remains uncertain.
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