Thousands feared dead in Myanmar & Thailand after 7.7 earthquake collapses skyscraper, bridge

A powerful earthquake rocked Myanmar and neighboring Thailand, causing widespread devastation. The 7.7 magnitude quake shook the earth near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, wreaking havoc on infrastructure. The epicenter was a mere 10 miles away from the bustling city, home to approximately 1.5 million people.

The initial quake struck at a shallow depth of around six miles, amplifying its destructive power. Myanmar, already grappling with a civil war, now faces yet another crisis. Just 12 minutes later, a strong aftershock hit the same area, measuring 6.4 in magnitude, according to the USGS.

In the wake of the earthquake, at least six significant aftershocks have occurred, with magnitudes ranging from 4.5 to 4.9. The quake left a trail of destruction, collapsing buildings in five cities and towns across Myanmar. Images from the scene show the Ava Bridge over the Irrawaddy River in ruins, with the ground scarred by deep crevasses.

A dramatic video captured the moment a high-rise under construction collapsed near Bangkok’s bustling Chatuchak market. As the 33-story building crumbled, workers and residents fled for their lives. The quake not only flattened the structure but also flung a crane that had been attached to it.

In another startling scene, a rooftop pool on a Bangkok high-rise turned into a cascading waterfall, with waves crashing down the building. In response to the chaos, Thai authorities declared a state of emergency in Bangkok. Meanwhile, Myanmar officials issued emergency declarations in several regions, including Sagaing, Mandalay, and Magway.

Myanmar’s political turmoil adds complexity to the disaster response efforts. Amnesty International’s Joe Freeman highlighted the dire situation, noting that over 3 million people have been displaced by conflict since the 2021 military coup. He stated, “Over a third of the population will need humanitarian assistance this year.”

Myanmar’s military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, addressed the nation, reporting at least 144 deaths and 730 injuries. “The death toll and injuries are expected to rise,” he warned, while extending an invitation for international aid.

Former President Donald Trump assured that the United States would offer assistance to Myanmar. “We’re going to be helping,” Trump stated from the Oval Office, confirming communication with the affected country. The USGS estimates that nearly 800,000 people experienced “violent” shaking from the quake.

Myanmar ranks as the 42nd-poorest nation globally, according to Global Finance, making recovery efforts even more challenging. The USGS warned, “High casualties and extensive damage are probable, and the disaster is likely widespread.” Their assessment painted a grim picture of potential losses in lives and economic impact.

Seismologist Ian Main from the University of Edinburgh emphasized the severity of the situation. Based on the intensity of ground shaking and population density maps, the USGS PAGER forecast predicts a fatality range of 10,000-100,000 and economic losses between 6%-70% of Myanmar’s GDP.

The USGS PAGER system provides critical estimates on fatalities and economic losses following significant earthquakes globally. The USGS reported that nearly 800,000 people were subjected to “violent” tremors during the quake.

The earthquake resulted from strike-slip faulting between the India and Eurasia plates, according to the United States Geological Survey. Joanna Faure Walker, an expert on earthquake geology, noted Myanmar’s vulnerability due to its location along this active plate boundary. She explained, “These two plates move past each other as they are moving at different rates along a transform plate boundary.”

Historically, the region has experienced six earthquakes of magnitude 7 or larger since 1900, the USGS reported. The most recent significant quake, with a magnitude of 7.0, caused the collapse of 32 buildings. For those interested, CNN has broadcast a newscast detailing the earthquake’s impact on Myanmar and Thailand.