Myanmar Earthquake: 144 dead, 732 injured, Junta chief calls for help from ‘any country’, says death toll may rise | World News

At least 144 people have been killed and 732 injured in Myanmar after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the country, bringing down buildings and causing destruction across multiple regions.Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, in an address on state television, said that he expects the toll to rise and issued a rare appeal for international aid, inviting “any country, any organisation” to ass with relief efforts.
The earthquake, which struck at 1:20 pm local time, had an epicentre just 17.2 km from Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city. Among the hardest-hit areas, Mandalay, Toungoo, and Aungban reported multiple fatalities. Hundreds of injured people were rushed to Naypyidaw’s main hospital, with patients being treated outside due to structural damage. Social media footage shows collapsed and damaged buildings across central Myanmar.
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With swathes of Myanmar’s territory already controlled anti-junta forces, the junta declared a state of emergency in the six worst-affected regions. State-run TV made domestic appeals for medical supplies and blood donations, citing a surge in casualties in three major cities.
Footage from Mandalay Airport shows people racing to safety, crouching on the floor outside for protection. Ceiling panels collapsed, covering the hallways in dust.
The tremors also caused devastation in Bangkok, Thailand, where a high-rise building under construction collapsed, killing three people and trapping 117 others under the rubble. Rescue efforts are underway.
Rescuers work at the site a high-rise building under construction that collapsed after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)
Tremors were felt as far away as northern Thailand, where metro and rail services were briefly suspended in Bangkok. Prime Miner Paetongtarn Shinawatra cut short an official visit to Phuket to hold an emergency meeting, after which she also declared a state of emergency in the city. Eight deaths have been reported from a collapsed building in Bangkok.Story continues below this ad
China’s Yunnan province also reported strong tremors, with the China Earthquake Networks Center measuring a magnitude of 7.9. Mild tremors were also recorded in Kolkata, parts of Manipur, Dhaka, and Chattogram in Bangladesh, as well as in Vietnam. No casualties have been reported outside Myanmar and Thailand so far.

Indian Prime Miner Narendra Modi said India is ready to offer any assance needed. “Praying for the safety and well-being of everyone,” he posted on X, adding that authorities have been asked to remain on stand. Leaders from European nations have also offered assance.

Concerned the situation in the wake of the Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Praying for the safety and wellbeing of everyone. India stands ready to offer all possible assance. In this regard, asked our authorities to be on stand. Also asked the MEA to remain in touch…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 28, 2025
The disaster adds further strain to Myanmar’s ruling military, which is already battling an armed uprising. The anti-junta militias, the People’s Defence Forces (PDF), have stated that their fighters will ass in humanitarian efforts.
With communications limited and rescue operations ongoing, officials expect the death toll to rise as more reports emerge from remote areas.
What caused the earthquake?
Myanmar is highly vulnerable to earthquakes due to its location on the boundary between the India Plate and the Eurasia Plate, making it one of the world’s most seismically active countries. However, large and destructive earthquakes have been relatively rare in the Sagaing region.Story continues below this ad
Joanna Faure Walker, a professor and earthquake expert at University College London, talking to Reuters, explained that the plate boundary runs approximately north-south, cutting through the middle of Myanmar. The plates move past each other horizontally at different speeds, causing “strike-slip” earthquakes. While these quakes are typically less powerful than those in “subduction zones,” where one plate slides beneath another—such as in Sumatra—they can still reach magnitudes of 7 to 8.