Mandalay Earthquakes Kill 144 Amid Widespread Devastation

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Buildings Collapse After Powerful Earthquakes Rock Myanmar, Thailand

By TRH News Desk

New Delhi, March 28: A series of powerful earthquakes left deathly trails in Myanmar. The state-run MRTV in Myanmar said that “at least 144 people were killed and 732 sustained grievous injuries” in the aftermath of earthquakes.

First, 7.7 Richter scale earthquake shook Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time. Within minutes, a 6.4-magnitude aftershock sent buildings tumbling down.

Neighbourhoods were swallowed by dust as buildings collapsed. Viral videos sent tremors down the spine for the people.

The epicentre of tremors was at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. They were felt as far away as southern China, Vietnam, and Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, over 1,000 kilometers from the epicentre.

Myanmar-based media quoted a doctor at a major hospital in Naypyidaw confirming at least 20 deaths at his facility alone. He said that many more were injured.

The iconic 90-year-old Ava Bridge in Mandalay went crashing into the Irrawaddy River, showed viral videos of the aftermath of the tremors. Trails of destruction were seen across the region, through Myanmar and Thailand.

In Myanmar, the earthquake’s epicenter was near the seismically active Sagaing Fault, located 17 kilometers northwest of Mandalay. Hundreds of homes and buildings collapsed across various cities, including Mandalay and the capital, Naypyidaw, where roads buckled and ceilings caved in per local reports.

The Myanmar military junta declared a state of emergency across six affected regions. It also appealed for international humanitarian aid.

Junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing inspected damaged areas in Naypyidaw. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow at devastations following tremors in Myanmar.

The US Geological Survey termed the Mandalay earthquakes as strongest globally since 2023. They were also the most powerful to hit Myanmar in a century, said the US Geological Survey.

Reports said the tremors were felt across Southeast Asia. People evacuated in high-rise buildings from Chiang Mai to Ho Chi Minh City.

Media reports quoted experts, saying rapid urbanization without seismic considerations heightened risks for the safety of the people.

Myanmar is also battling poor medical system in responding the tragedy. Experts also warned of the risks for large-scale dams. They didn’t rule out the prospects of flooding.

Reports said that tremors in Thailand triggered panic. Significant damage was seen in Bangkok, A 30-story skyscraper under construction collapsed. At least three people died while dozens were reportedly trapped.

Thailand confirmed that 81 workers were buried in the rubble of the collapsed building. Reports said that 90 workers were missing.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt declared the city a disaster area. Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra imposed a state of emergency.

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