The earthquake has caused the Sagaing Bridge to collapse. Credit: X @@jamsShadows4
A major 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday afternoon (March 28), shaking buildings and rattling nerves as far away as Bangkok, Thailand.
The tremor, confirmed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), hit just before 1 pm local time and has caused significant structural damage and widespread panic across the region. This is a developing story.
Earthquake strikes Sagaing, near Mandalay
According to the USGS, the earthquake struck 16 kilometres northwest of Sagaing, near Myanmar’s central city of Mandalay, at a shallow depth of just 10 kilometres, this meant its effects were more potent on the surface. A powerful aftershock, measuring 6.4 in magnitude, followed just 12 minutes later.
The quake has triggered visible destruction, including the collapse of the Old Sagaing Bridge into the Irrawaddy River. Footage circulating on social media shows parts of the bridge submerged in the water.
Brendon Banham, who experienced the tremor in Bangkok, told viraltrendingcontent: “Whole condo just been shaking! Everyone on the street! I’m on the 12th floor of 39! Whole building might come crashing down! Had to run for my life down the fire exit, madness! Only wearing shorts and got my phone!”
Myanmar has tragically been embroiled in a civil war following a coup who seized power in February 2021.
Earthquake tremors felt in Thailand
The effects of the earthquake were felt as far as 1,400 kilometres away in Thailand, particularly in Bangkok, where startled residents fled high-rise buildings. CNN reports that lights swung violently, and people rushed out of apartments.
A local resident in Chiang Mai, Duangjai, told AFP, “I heard it, and I was sleeping in the house, I ran as far as I could in my pyjamas out of the building.”
The Guardian also noted the earthquake’s strength caused water to spill from rooftop pools in Bangkok’s skyscrapers.
Tragically, in Bangkok’s Chatuchak Park district, a building under construction collapsed following the tremor. The Associated Press reported dramatic video footage showing the structure – with a crane on top – crumbling into a huge cloud of dust. Eight people have been reported dead.
Separately, the National Institute for Emergency Medicine said 50 people were inside another building that collapsed in the same area. Of those, 43 are reportedly trapped and seven have been injured.
Other countries that have felt the earthquake’s tremors are Bangladesh, India, Laos, and China.
Latest updates on the earthquake in Myanmar
There are concerns about infrastructure damage and potential landslides in the coming hours. Bangkok’s governor Chadchart Sittipunt has ordered an immediate earthquake response command centre; instructing all districts and hospitals to assess damages, as reported by The Guardian. 90 people are reported to be missing.
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