“7.7-Magnitude Myanmar Earthquake Kills 144 and Injures 730, Confirms Military Government.Thailand Reports 8 Dead and 117 Missing Following Devastating Earthquake.”
A devastating earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, with 144 confirmed dead and 730 injured, according to Myanmar’s military government. The epicenter, near Mandalay, caused severe damage in multiple cities, and the tremors were also felt in Thailand. At least eight people died in Thailand, where a high-rise under construction collapsed. Following the initial quake, a strong 6.4 magnitude aftershock further heightened concerns. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing warned that the death toll and number of injuries are expected to rise.
The Myanmar government, as reported by AP, has announced a critical shortage of blood in the areas most affected by the earthquake. Images showing severely damaged roads in Mandalay, cracked highways, and the collapse of bridges and dams have raised significant concerns about the ability of rescue teams to access some of the hardest-hit regions. Myanmar, already grappling with a widespread humanitarian crisis, faces even more challenges in the aftermath of the disaster.
The full scope of the death toll, injuries, and destruction remains unclear, especially in Myanmar—one of the world’s poorest nations, currently embroiled in a civil war with tightly controlled information. The damage to vital infrastructure has only intensified worries about how assistance will reach those in need.
In Thailand, the air was filled with the sound of sirens as central Bangkok experienced severe congestion, with vehicles clogging the streets and causing gridlock in already busy areas. The city’s elevated transit system and subway were both shut down for safety reasons.
A 33-story building under construction near the well-known Chatuchak market collapsed, sending a cloud of dust into the air. The building, with a crane on top, crumpled as onlookers were seen running and screaming in videos shared on social media.
