7.7-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Myanmar, Causing Building Collapses in Mandalay and Bangkok

On Friday afternoon local time, a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, with its epicenter located about 16 kilometers northwest of Sagaing, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). A 6.4-magnitude aftershock followed just 12 minutes later.

Mandalay, a cultural hub of Myanmar, experienced severe disruptions, with some areas suffering communication blackouts. Additionally, a bridge connecting Ava and Sagaing partially collapsed into the Irrawaddy River.

The quake also impacted neighboring Thailand, where a high-rise under construction in Bangkok’s Chatuchak Park collapsed, resulting in at least one death and 50 injuries. Rescue operations are ongoing as some individuals remain trapped.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has convened an emergency meeting to assess the earthquake’s impact. The tremors were felt across a wide region, with residents in China’s Yunnan and Guangxi provinces reporting strong shaking on social media.