A powerful earthquake struck Myanmar and neighboring Thailand on Friday, wreaking havoc as it destroyed buildings, a bridge, and a dam. In Myanmar, at least 144 people lost their lives, with images and videos from two severely affected cities revealing widespread devastation. Meanwhile, in the Thai capital, Bangkok, at least 10 fatalities were reported following the collapse of a high-rise under construction.
The full scope of the casualties and destruction remains unclear, especially in Myanmar, one of the world’s poorest nations, where a civil war complicates the flow of information. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, head of Myanmar’s military government, announced on television that the death toll in Myanmar had reached at least 144, with 730 others injured. The numbers are expected to rise.
Bangkok city officials reported 10 deaths, 16 injuries, and 101 individuals missing from three construction sites, including the high-rise building. The earthquake, measuring a magnitude of 7.7, struck around midday, with its epicenter near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city. Aftershocks followed, one of which registered a strong 6.4 magnitude.
In Myanmar’s capital, Naypyidaw, rescue teams were seen extracting victims from the wreckage of buildings that housed civil servants. The government has indicated a dire need for blood donations in the hardest-hit areas. In a departure from previous reluctances to accept foreign assistance, Min Aung Hlaing stated Myanmar’s readiness to receive international aid.
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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres declared that the UN is mobilizing resources in response to Myanmar’s call for help. However, images of damaged infrastructure, including roads, a collapsed bridge, and a burst dam, have raised concerns about the challenges rescuers face accessing affected areas, especially in a nation already amid a humanitarian crisis.
“We fear it may be weeks before we understand the full extent of destruction caused by this earthquake,” remarked Mohammed Riyas, director of the International Rescue Committee in Myanmar.
In Mandalay, the earthquake reportedly brought down multiple buildings, including the Ma Soe Yane monastery and the former royal palace. Footage shared online depicted monks capturing video of the multi-story monastery before it crumbled to the ground. The extent of casualties remains uncertain.
Christian Aid reported a dam burst in the city, leading to rising water levels in lowland areas. In the Sagaing region southwest of the city, a 90-year-old bridge fell, and parts of the highway connecting Mandalay to Yangon sustained damage.
Yangon residents fled their homes during the quake, and in Naypyitaw, some houses partially collapsed, prompting rescuers to dig through the debris. An injured man was seen resting on a wheeled stretcher, fanned by another in the heat.
Julie Mehigan of Christian Aid highlighted the disaster’s impact on an already struggling population, stating, “Even before this heartbreaking earthquake, we know conflict and displacement have left countless people in real need.”
Myanmar’s military seized power from Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government in February 2021, plunging the country into a brutal civil war with long-standing militias and newly formed pro-democracy groups. Government forces have lost control over much of Myanmar, rendering many areas perilous or inaccessible for aid workers. The United Nations reports over 3 million people displaced by the conflict, with nearly 20 million in need of aid.
In Thailand, a 33-story building near Bangkok’s Chatuchak market collapsed into a cloud of dust, captured in a social media video as onlookers screamed and ran. Vehicles on a nearby freeway halted as sirens blared across the capital’s downtown. Rescuers scrambled through the wreckage, characterized by tangled steel and shattered concrete, to find survivors. Injured individuals were transported on gurneys, and hospital beds were moved onto sidewalks.
Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, who visited the site, expressed hope for survivors. The city’s elevated rapid transit system and subway were temporarily shut down. Although the region is prone to earthquakes, they are typically less severe, and such tremors are rarely felt in the Thai capital. With a population exceeding 17 million, many Bangkok residents dwell in high-rise apartments.
Voranoot Thirawat, a lawyer in central Bangkok, recounted her experience, noting, “In my lifetime, there was no earthquake like this in Bangkok.” Fraser Morton, a tourist from Scotland, described the chaos inside a mall when the earthquake struck. Paul Vincent, a tourist from England, witnessed a swaying high-rise, water cascading from a rooftop pool, and panicked crowds in the streets.
The U.S. Geological Survey and Germany’s GFZ center for geosciences reported the earthquake’s shallow depth at 10 kilometers, contributing to its destructive power. In China’s Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, the quake was felt, causing damage and injuries in Ruili, near the Myanmar border. Chinese media shared videos of debris-strewn streets and injured individuals being transported to ambulances.
The Long-Term View
- The earthquake serves as a reminder of the importance of global solidarity in times of crisis.
- The earthquake highlights the vulnerability of infrastructure in regions prone to natural disasters.
- In Myanmar, the quake exacerbates the challenges posed by ongoing civil conflict and humanitarian needs.
- Emergency responses may be delayed due to damaged roads and bridges, affecting aid delivery.
- Rebuilding efforts could strain the economies of both Myanmar and Thailand.
- International aid will be crucial for recovery, impacting global humanitarian response strategies.
- The disaster underscores the need for improved building codes and disaster preparedness in Southeast Asia.
- Residents in affected areas may face prolonged displacement and uncertainty regarding housing and employment.
- Environmental damage, including dam bursts, could lead to long-term ecological impacts.
- Community resilience will be tested as residents cope with loss and rebuild their lives.
