Powerful Earthquake Strikes Thailand and Myanmar

A high-rise building under construction in Bangkok crumbled into a massive dust cloud after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck

Powerful Earthquake Strikes Thailand and Myanmar

A high-rise building under construction in Bangkok crumbled into a massive dust cloud after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Southeast Asia on Friday.

The earthquake, measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, rocked both Thailand and neighboring Myanmar at midday, resulting in at least three casualties in Bangkok. The disaster led to dozens being buried under the debris of a collapsed construction site, prompting Myanmar to declare a widespread state of emergency.

The powerful tremor originated near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, and was followed by a significant 6.4 magnitude aftershock.

Myanmar's military-led administration imposed a state of emergency across six regions, including the capital Naypyidaw and Mandalay. However, with the country entangled in a prolonged civil conflict, concerns arose about the feasibility of delivering aid to many affected areas.

The Red Cross reported that downed power lines were hampering their teams' access to Mandalay, the Sagaing region, and southern Shan State.

Building Collapse in Bangkok

In Bangkok, a construction site turned into a scene of devastation as falling debris crushed vehicles and pedestrians. A construction worker lost his life when rubble struck his truck, while another was fatally injured by the collapsing structure, according to rescue worker Songwut Wangpon.

Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed three fatalities at the site and reported that 90 individuals were still unaccounted for. He provided no additional details on the ongoing rescue efforts. However, emergency responders revealed that seven individuals had been safely rescued from the perimeter of the collapsed building. Despite their efforts, the unstable rubble continued to pose significant risks, preventing deeper search operations.

Shocking Scenes Caught on Camera

A dramatic video circulating on social media captured the moment a crane-topped high-rise near Bangkok’s bustling Chatuchak market toppled into a thick cloud of dust, triggering panic among bystanders. Elsewhere in the city, buildings were swiftly evacuated as authorities warned residents to remain outdoors due to the risk of further aftershocks.

Reports from the U.S. Geological Survey and Germany’s GFZ research center confirmed that the earthquake had a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), amplifying its destructive impact.

Chaos and Panic in Bangkok

Sirens blared across the heart of Bangkok as vehicles clogged the streets, leading to widespread traffic gridlock. The city’s elevated train system and subway services were temporarily suspended. In response to the crisis, Bangkok’s city hall declared a disaster emergency to streamline inter-agency coordination for relief efforts. With a metropolitan population exceeding 17 million, many of whom reside in high-rise apartments, the earthquake sparked fear throughout the city.

April Kanichawanakul, an office worker in Bangkok’s city center, initially mistook the tremors for dizziness. "I just thought I was dizzy," she said. She and her colleagues evacuated from the 10th floor of Tonson Tower, waiting outside until they received confirmation that it was safe to return.

Fraser Morton, a Scottish tourist shopping for camera gear in a Bangkok mall, recounted the terrifying moment: "All of a sudden the whole building began to move. Immediately, there was screaming and a lot of panic." He described how shoppers frantically ran in different directions, some even rushing down escalators in panic. "Lots of banging and crashing inside the mall," he added.

As fear gripped the city, thousands sought refuge in Benjasiri Park, fleeing from nearby malls, office towers, and residential buildings along the bustling Sukhumvit Road. Many frantically tried to contact their families while others gazed in fear at the swaying skyscrapers. "I got outside and then looked up at the building and the whole building was moving, dust and debris, it was pretty intense," Morton recalled. "Lots of chaos."

Voranoot Thirawat, a lawyer based in Bangkok, realized something was wrong when she noticed a light fixture swinging violently. Moments later, she heard creaking noises as the building swayed. She and her colleagues rushed down 12 flights of stairs. "In my lifetime, there has been no earthquake like this in Bangkok," she remarked.

Myanmar and China Also Affected

In Myanmar’s Mandalay region, historic structures, including sections of the former royal palace, sustained significant damage. Although the area is known for seismic activity, it is sparsely populated, with most homes being low-rise buildings.

A 90-year-old bridge in Sagaing, southwest of Mandalay, collapsed due to the tremors. Parts of the highway connecting Mandalay and Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, were also damaged. In the capital, Naypyidaw, religious shrines and residential buildings suffered structural damage, while residents in Yangon evacuated their homes as the tremors hit. As of now, no casualties have been officially reported.

Further northeast, the earthquake's impact extended into China’s Yunnan and Sichuan provinces. Reports from Chinese media confirmed structural damage and injuries in Ruili, a city bordering Myanmar. Videos from the area depicted streets littered with debris and emergency workers rushing an injured individual to an ambulance. In Mangshi, about 100 kilometers northeast of Ruili, the tremors were so intense that residents struggled to remain standing. A Kunming resident described her ceiling lamp swaying wildly for over ten seconds.

Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention confirmed that tremors were felt across nearly all regions of the country. In response, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra convened an emergency meeting to assess the situation and coordinate disaster relief efforts.