(Al Jazeera Media Network) A powerful earthquake has hit Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand, destroying buildings, damaging infrastructure and killing more than 150 people.
Myanmar’s state-run MRTV reported that at least 144 people were killed on Friday and 732 were injured in the country. The quake also hit Thailand, where at least nine people were killed in the capital, Bangkok, according to local authorities.
A magnitude 7.7 quake struck just outside Myanmar’s ancient capital Mandalay at 12.50pm (06:20 GMT). The initial tremor was followed minutes later by a magnitude 6.4 aftershock, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Photos from Myanmar’s current capital Naypyidaw showed multiple buildings used to house civil servants destroyed by the quake and rescue crews pulling victims from the rubble.
General Min Aung Hlaing, the head of Myanmar’s military government, said the death toll was expected to rise and invited “any country” to provide help and donations.
In the Thai capital, a 33-storey building that was under construction near Chatuchak Market crumpled into a cloud of dust with onlookers seen screaming and running in a video posted on social media.
At least eight people were killed in the building collapse, Deputy Bangkok Governor Tavida Kamolvej was quoted as saying by the news agency Reuters. Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said at least 90 people were missing.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/28/powerful-earthquake-strikes-myanmar
