The death toll following a powerful earthquake that struck central Myanmar has risen to more than 1,000, with at least 2,376 people reported injured.
The 7.7-magnitude tremor, which occurred near the country’s second-largest city of Mandalay, has also caused significant damage in neighbouring countries, including Thailand.
Rescue operations continue across affected areas, with emergency teams in Mandalay stating that they are using their bare hands to dig survivors from the rubble. In Bangkok, Thailand, an under-construction high-rise building collapsed as a result of the quake, leaving around 100 construction workers unaccounted for. Authorities have confirmed at least six fatalities and eight injuries at the Bangkok site, with 15 individuals believed to still be alive beneath the rubble.
In Mandalay, one of the hardest-hit areas, emergency workers reported hearing the voices of trapped individuals more than 24 hours after the initial quake. A rescue worker told the BBC: “We are still trying to pull out the rest of the trapped people, but we need large machines. They are still shouting, and we can still hear their voices.”
Myanmar’s military government, which rarely issues public appeals for assistance, has called for international aid. China and India were among the first countries to respond. A temporary hospital has been set up at Mandalay Airport to assist with casualties, though the airport remains out of operation due to damage sustained during the quake.
Meanwhile, airstrikes have continued in parts of Myanmar despite the unfolding humanitarian crisis. The People’s Defense Force reported that Nwe Khway village in Sagaing Region was bombed twice on the same day as the earthquake. Additional strikes were reported in Kayin State and the Bago Region.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which both Myanmar and Thailand are members, has pledged support for relief efforts. In a statement, the organisation recognised the “urgent need for humanitarian assistance” and committed to coordinating aid and relief operations. Other ASEAN member states include Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines.
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister, Anutin Charnweerakul, visited the Bangkok building collapse site and confirmed that approximately 50 people remained unaccounted for. He stated that while Thailand has sufficient manpower and resources, it would welcome technological support from abroad. Charnweerakul has instructed investigators to determine the cause of the collapse within seven days.
Rescue workers in Bangkok continue to work around the clock, using sound-detection equipment to locate survivors. However, the building’s instability and the depth of the rubble—estimated to be between five and ten metres—have significantly slowed efforts. Officials have refrained from using heavy machinery for fear of causing further collapse.
At the site, emotional scenes unfolded as family members of the missing gathered to register details and wait for news. Officials set up a registration desk in a tent adjacent to the site, and a whiteboard behind it listed the missing, dead, and injured. As of this morning, 96 people remain missing in Bangkok, with the number expected to fluctuate as rescue operations continue.
In Naypyidaw, Myanmar’s capital, authorities reported 94 deaths. The city has become the second hardest-hit area after Mandalay. Verified footage from across Myanmar shows widespread destruction, including damaged pagodas and collapsed structures.
New Zealand has pledged NZ$2 million (£880,000) in aid via the International Red Cross. The donation will be used to provide food, tents, blankets, and medical supplies. The Australian government has said it is closely monitoring the humanitarian situation and has no reports of Australian citizens being affected.
Since the military coup in February 2021, Myanmar has experienced ongoing internal conflict. The overthrow of Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government triggered mass protests and an armed resistance, with violence escalating across the country. The continuing airstrikes, even in the wake of this natural disaster, reflect the complexities of Myanmar’s internal situation.
As emergency teams continue rescue and recovery efforts in both Myanmar and Thailand, officials have urged the international community to step up support. The extent of the devastation, particularly in Mandalay and Naypyidaw, is still being assessed, but early indications suggest a protracted recovery process.
Operations at major Thai airports, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Chiang Rai, and Phuket, have returned to normal, according to Airports of Thailand. Myanmar’s main airports, however, remain disrupted.
The full scale of the disaster will become clearer in the coming days, but the combined impact of the earthquake, ongoing military conflict, and infrastructural collapse presents a significant challenge for both Myanmar and the wider region.
