Myanmar earthquake: 144 killed so far, over 700 injured
What's the story
At least 144 people have been killed and over 700 injured so far after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday.
The tremors were felt in China, Thailand, Vietnam, and some parts of India.
"The death toll and injuries are expected to rise," Senior General Min Aung Hlaing told state-run TV.
A member of a rescue team based in Mandalay, Myanmar, told the BBC the toll could be "at least in the hundreds."
Junta
Blood donors requested
The leader of Myanmar's ruling military junta has issued a rare plea for foreign support.
"I have declared a state of emergency and requested international assistance," Hlaing said, adding that India will be sending assistance.
"I would like to extend an invitation to any organizations and nations willing to come and help."
The request suggests that the earthquake's effects are severe.
Hlaing is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), and his military junta rarely cooperates with the international community.
Thai response
Impact on Thailand and response measures
AFP reported that the World Health Organization (WHO) is readying medical supplies for the Myanmar earthquake.
Spokesperson Margaret Harris told a media briefing that the organization is coordinating its earthquake response from its Geneva headquarters "because we see this as a huge event" with "clearly a very big threat to life and health."
"We've activated our logistics hub to look particularly for trauma supplies and things like external fixators because we expect there will be many, many injuries," Harris said.
Twitter Post
Visuals from Bangkok
Earthquake sum up 3pm (Mynamar/Thailand)
— Florian Witulski (@vaitor) March 28, 2025
- 7.7 quake hit near Mandalay/Myanmar
- Hundreds of homes collapsed (various Myanmar cities)
- Strong shocks in Thailand + multiple building collapse in Bangkok
- USGS predicts thousands of people dead
(Bangkok clips from social media:) pic.twitter.com/kJodTn6BIg
Widespread tremors
Tremors felt across Southeast Asia
The tremors were powerful enough to send water sloshing out of pools in high-rises as well as evacuate several buildings.
Residents of greater Bangkok, which is home to over 17 million people, felt the shocks.
Many were seen rushing out of high-rise condominiums and hotels in search of refuge from the midday sun immediately after the quake struck.
Eighty-one construction workers are still missing in Thailand, its deputy prime minister said, adding a search and rescue operation is underway.
Twitter Post
Aftermath visuals
❗️🇲🇲 - Myanmar is experiencing scenes straight out of a disaster movie.
— 🔥🗞The Informant (@theinformant_x) March 28, 2025
A major hospital in the capital, Naypyidaw, has been designated a "mass casualty area" following a powerful earthquake that struck the country on March 28, 2025.
The 7.7 magnitude quake, centered near… pic.twitter.com/SD3sgcUlff