A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar at 12:50 pm local time on Friday, unleashing chaos and destruction across the region. The epicentre of the quake was located 16 km northwest of the city of Sagaing and at a shallow depth of 10 km, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The region was rocked again shortly afterward by a significant aftershock measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale. Local media reports confirm at least 20 deaths in Myanmar so far, with rescue efforts still ongoing and the death toll expected to rise. The tremor wreaked havoc in Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city, where a mosque collapsed during Friday prayers, killing several worshippers. Officials are scrambling to assess the damage amid chaotic scenes, as Myanmar’s military junta declared a national emergency and issued an urgent appeal for international aid.
 

The quake's impact extended well beyond Myanmar's borders. Tremors were reported as far away as northern Thailand, prompting the suspension of metro and train services in Bangkok. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has called an emergency meeting to assess the crisis, and a state of emergency has been declared in Bangkok. China's Yunnan province also reported intense shaking. The China Earthquake Networks Center reported the earthquake’s magnitude as 7.9. In India, mild tremors were felt in Kolkata and parts of Manipur, while Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka and port city Chattogram experienced noticeable shocks as well. The broad reach of the quake has left multiple Asian nations on alert.
 

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded swiftly to the disaster, expressing concern and readiness to help. “Praying for the safety and wellbeing of everyone,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter). “I have asked our authorities to be on standby to assist as needed.” Social media was flooded with terrifying videos showing high-rise buildings swaying, water overflowing from rooftop pools, and panicked people rushing out onto the streets. In Bangkok, footage captured the collapse of an under-construction skyscraper in the city’s Chatuchak neighborhood. Reports suggest that 43 workers were trapped in the rubble. Rescue personnel are on-site, with emergency services working around the clock to extract survivors.
 

Worapat Sukthai, deputy police chief of Bangkok’s Bang Sue district, told AFP, “When I arrived to inspect the site, I heard people calling for help, saying ‘help me.’ We estimate that hundreds of people are injured but we are still determining the number of casualties.” In Myanmar, devastation has been reported across several cities. A historic bridge over the Irrawaddy River collapsed, along with numerous residential buildings. In Mandalay, one of the worst-hit areas just 24 km from Sagaing, visuals show people possibly trapped under debris. The city’s airport suffered significant structural damage, halting air travel and relief operations. Further south, near the city of Taunggyi in Myanmar’s Shan State, a revered monastery was badly damaged. Videos from the site show widespread destruction. A fire was also reported at Mandalay University following the earthquake, with initial reports suggesting additional casualties.
 

Myanmar is no stranger to seismic activity. The Sagaing Fault, which runs north to south through the country, is known for producing powerful quakes. Between 1930 and 1956, the region experienced six earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.0 or higher. More recently, in 2016, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck near the ancient city of Bagan, killing three people and damaging historic temples. The country’s healthcare infrastructure, already strained due to economic instability and rural inaccessibility, is struggling to handle the crisis. Many injured residents are being treated in makeshift medical camps as hospitals reach capacity.
 

This latest disaster highlights the urgent need for improved regional cooperation and preparedness in managing seismic risks. With aftershocks likely and hundreds potentially injured or trapped, international assistance may prove crucial in the coming hours and days. Governments across Asia are closely monitoring the situation, while humanitarian agencies prepare to dispatch emergency aid and relief teams. As Myanmar reels from one of its most powerful earthquakes in decades, the resilience of its people and the support of the global community will be key in navigating the recovery process.