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A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, sending shockwaves across the region and leaving both Myanmar and Thailand reeling from destruction. With at least three confirmed deaths and rising fears of more casualties, the disaster has thrown entire cities into chaos.
The quake hit at 1:30 p.m. local time near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, with a shallow depth of just six miles—making it even more devastating. Less than 11 minutes later, a 6.4 magnitude aftershock followed, further compounding the damage. The tremors were so powerful that they were felt as far as Bangkok, Thailand, where disaster struck in a shocking way.
In Bangkok, a 33-story high-rise under construction collapsed near the city's famous Chatuchak market, killing at least three people. More than 80 others remain trapped in the wreckage, and rescue efforts are underway. Eyewitness videos captured the horrifying moment as workers scrambled to escape before the building crumbled into a massive cloud of dust.
Tourists and locals alike described scenes of panic. "All of a sudden, the whole building started shaking," said Scottish tourist Fraser Morton, who was in a shopping mall at the time. "There was screaming, people running. I got outside, looked up, and saw dust and debris everywhere."
Authorities have declared Bangkok a disaster zone, urging people to stay outdoors in anticipation of more aftershocks. In Myanmar, the United Nations reported significant damage across the country's central region, where homes and buildings crumbled under the force of the quake.
Experts warn that the disaster could become even deadlier. Professor Bill McGuire, a geophysics expert, stated that Myanmar's poor building quality makes the situation even more dangerous. "Casualty numbers will almost certainly climb," he cautioned, pointing out that the country hasn't experienced an earthquake of this magnitude in nearly 75 years.
For Myanmar, already suffering from a brutal civil war, the earthquake adds another layer of devastation. Humanitarian organizations are rushing to assess the damage, while Thailand faces its own crisis as rescue teams desperately work to save those still trapped.
As aftershocks continue, both countries are on high alert, bracing for what could be even more destruction in the days to come.
