A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck northwest Myanmar
on March 28, sending shockwaves across Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. The
United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake struck near Sagaing
at a shallow depth, followed by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock minutes later.
The tremors led to major destruction in Myanmar and
Thailand, killing at least four people and trapping dozens under a collapsed
high-rise building in Bangkok.
Thailand: Skyscraper Collapse in Bangkok
The quake caused severe tremors in Bangkok and Chiang Mai,
leading to a 30-storey building collapse at a construction site. The under-construction
skyscraper, intended for government offices, crumbled within seconds, trapping 43
workers inside. Emergency teams rushed to the scene, managing to rescue dozens
while confirming one fatality.
Bangkok’s deputy police chief, Worapat Sukthai, reported
that rescue workers heard cries for help beneath the rubble. Officials estimate
that hundreds might be injured, though the full casualty count remains
uncertain.
The quake halted Bangkok’s metro services, and trading on
the Stock Exchange of Thailand was suspended for the afternoon session.
However, flights remained operational.
Myanmar: State of Emergency Declared
In Myanmar, at least three people were killed when a mosque
in Mandalay collapsed. Myanmar’s junta declared a state of emergency across six
regions and issued a rare request for international aid.
In Naypyitaw, journalists inside the National Museum
described terrifying moments as ceiling pieces fell, and staff ran out in panic.
Roads cracked under the tremors, and the city’s 1,000-bed hospital became
overwhelmed with casualties, forcing treatment to be administered outside on
the streets.
Myanmar’s junta leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, was
seen visiting victims in Naypyitaw’s hospitals as the country braced for
further aftershocks.
Panic Across Southeast Asia
The earthquake was felt far and wide, with reports of
swaying buildings in Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
In Chiang Mai, terrified residents rushed into the streets,
while in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, hundreds evacuated high-rise buildings as windows
shook and chandeliers swayed.
In Penang, Malaysia, some workers initially mistook the
tremors for dizziness before realizing it was an earthquake. Office lights and
Hari Raya decorations were seen swaying from the shockwaves.
Myanmar’s History of Strong Earthquakes
Myanmar sits on the Sagaing Fault, a highly active seismic
zone. Between 1930 and 1956, the region experienced six major earthquakes of
magnitude 7.0 or higher. In 2016, a 6.8-magnitude quake in Bagan killed three
people and damaged historic temples.
Experts warn that poor infrastructure and weak urban
planning make Myanmar’s cities especially vulnerable to future quakes.
Rescue efforts continue as Southeast Asia reels from one of its strongest earthquakes in years.
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