A devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, causing widespread destruction and tremors that extended into neighbouring Thailand. The earthquake, originating at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, led to 1,644, deaths in Myanmar alone, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters to hit the country in recent history.
Bangkok travellers share harrowing tales
The tremors were strongly felt across Thailand, particularly in Bangkok, where skyscrapers swayed, traffic came to a standstill, and public transit systems were briefly shut down. Witnesses described scenes of panic as people fled buildings in fear.
“The buildings were shaking so strongly that it felt like my head was moving up and down,” said Ankush Sharma, a traveller who experienced the quake’s aftermath in Bangkok.
Ajay, another Indian traveller, recounted the impact on daily life: “I have been to Bangkok several times, but it never took me so long to reach the airport. The traffic was so bad that a 30-minute drive took three to four hours. Many buildings have been destroyed.”
The disaster also led to the collapse of a 33-story skyscraper under construction, killing at least nine people in Thailand and leaving 47 others missing under the rubble.
Naypyitaw and Mandalay airports shut
In Myanmar, the earthquake’s devastation was even more severe. The country’s military government reported a death toll of 1,644 by Saturday, according to BBC Burmese news service. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimated that casualties could rise beyond 10,000, with economic losses possibly surpassing Myanmar’s annual GDP.
The quake crippled vital infrastructure, including bridges, highways, and airports. Myanmar’s opposition National Unity Government (NUG) reported that over 2,900 buildings, 30 roads, and seven bridges had been severely damaged. Due to structural collapse, Naypyitaw and Mandalay international airports have been temporarily closed, further hampering rescue efforts. The control tower at Naypyitaw Airport was also destroyed, rendering air traffic control inoperative.
Rescue efforts underway
Myanmar’s military rulers have allowed hundreds of foreign rescue personnel to enter the country in a rare move to aid recovery. Survivors in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, resorted to digging through the debris with their bare hands, as heavy machinery and rescue resources remained limited.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar’s junta chief, visited the hardest-hit areas on Saturday. In a statement, the military junta said, “The Chairman of the State Administration Council instructed authorities to expedite search and rescue efforts and address any urgent needs.”
The earthquake has placed further strain on Myanmar, a country already grappling with an ongoing civil war.
(With inputs from agencies)