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More than 150 killed, hundreds injured as 6 earthquakes devastate Myanmar, tremors felt in Bangkok

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 28 Mar 2025, 12:41 pm

Over 150 people were killed and hundreds injured after six earthquakes, including one with a 7.7 magnitude, hit near Sagaing in central Myanmar at 12.50 pm (local time) Friday, state-run broadcaster MRTV said.

The toll includes casualties from a hospital in the capital, Naypyidaw, which is likely to become a "mass casualty area", doctors there told news agency AFP.

Several buildings including a mosque in Mandalay collapsed while people were praying inside it, and a university building in the same city caught fire as a result of the massive earthquakes.

Warming that the toll might go up, Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has declared an 'emergency' and appealed for aid.

He asked for help from "any country and any organisation" willing to step forward.

Tremors were felt as far away as northern Thailand, where some metro and rail services were suspended in the capital.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra broke off an official visit to Phuket to hold an urgent review meeting, after which she, too, declared a state of 'emergency' in the city.

As per the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicentre of the quake was located in Sagaing region in Myanmar.

Apart from Thailand, strong tremors were also felt in China.

The quake hit at a depth of 10 km.

The tremors of the quake were felt across Myanmar in regions like Mandalay, Kyaukse, Pyin Oo Lwin, and Shwebo.

Mandalay Palace damaged

Witnesses told Myanmar Now on Tuesday that parts of the historic Mandalay Palace in Mandalay were severely damaged. At the same time, a bridge in Sagaing Township was completely destroyed in the quake.

“A fire is breaking out in our neighborhood, and many people are injured and some are feared dead,” a resident in Mandalay told Myanmar Now.

Sources told the Myanmar-based news portal that hospitals across Mandalay, Sagaing, and Naypyitaw are rapidly filling up with survivors.

Locals told the news portal that several buildings in Mandalay were damaged due to the earthquake.

Several archeological sites in  Sagaing and Mandalay  were destroyed by the quake.

People were seen crowding and being treated outside the 1000-bed public-run Bed Naypyitaw General Hospital following the quake.

Myanmar is situated along the Sagaing Fault, a major geological fault line that runs through several regions, including Mandalay. This fault has a history of significant seismic activity, making areas along its path particularly susceptible to earthquakes, reported Myabnmar Now.

Similar earthquakes were also felt in  Yangon and Naypyitaw.

Bangkok

Strong tremors were felt in Thailand's neighbouring capital city, Bangkok, a major tourist destination in the world.

Rescue teams are working to pull out 81 labourers who are trapped under the rubble of an undercontruction building that collapsed in Bangkok. The mishap left thre people dead.

Eighty-one people were were trapped in the rubble and three had been confirmed dead, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai was quoted as saying by Bangkok Post.

People were seen rushing out of their homes and office buildings in Bangkok to safety after the tremors caused panic.

The Meteorological Department said the tremors were felt in many parts of Thailand, including Bangkok, reported the Bangkok Post.

People in the city evacuated the buildings, and several businesses announced temporary closures due to the quake.

Another video that has gone viral online showed water from a swimming pool located on the top of a high-rise splashed on the nearby streets due to the impact of the tremor.

The Thailand Stock Exchange stopped all trading activities for the Friday afternoon session.