Earthquake in Myanmar — A map highlights the epicenter and affected regions near the borders with India and Thailand.
Credit : Shutterstock, Dugguphotovala
More than 2,000 lives have been lost following a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit central Myanmar near Mandalay last Friday.
Entire communities have been reduced to rubble, and thousands are still missing as emergency crews and volunteers dig through the wreckage in temperatures topping 40°C.
Monastery, school and mosque collapses drive death toll higher
The scale of loss is staggering. A monastery collapse is believed to have killed around 200 monks, while 50 young children and two teachers died when a preschool caved in. The tragedy struck during Ramadan prayers too – at least 700 people lost their lives in mosques that crumbled mid-worship.
A powerful 5.1 aftershock on Sunday only added to the devastation, shaking already weakened buildings and triggering landslides that cut off some regions entirely.
Aid workers overwhelmed as conditions worsen
Emergency responders are up against extreme conditions – power is out in many areas, fuel is scarce, and communication is patchy at best. Without enough machinery, rescue workers are digging with their hands, searching for any sign of life under the rubble.
Health services are on the brink, with the World Health Organisation confirming that three hospitals have been completely destroyed and 22 others damaged. Aid agencies are warning of a looming crisis, with fears of hunger and disease growing by the hour.
Support pours in as full scale of devastation remains unknown
Rescue teams from China, India, Russia and across Southeast Asia are on the ground, and governments including the UK, EU, and Australia have pledged millions in support. Myanmar‘s resistance groups have also declared a temporary ceasefire to help aid get through.
Lauren Ellery from the International Rescue Committee says the full picture is still unclear. “We’re getting information slowly. Some towns are completely unreachable, and we just don’t know what we’ll find when we get there.”
The UN says over 10,000 buildings have collapsed or are badly damaged. In one town alone, 80 per cent of structures are believed to be flattened.
Shockwaves felt in Bangkok as search efforts intensify
The quake’s reach extended into neighbouring Thailand. In Bangkok, a construction site crumbled, killing at least 18 people and injuring dozens more. Rescuers paused machinery on Monday after detecting faint signals beneath the rubble.
“We picked up something last night,” said Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. “We’re hoping it’s a survivor, but we can’t be sure yet.”
The hours are ticking by, and hope is fading – but the search continues, as locals, volunteers and international teams keep working, refusing to give up on those still missing.
