Massive 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Devastates Thailand and Burma: Over 150 Dead, Buildings Collapse

A catastrophic 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Thailand and Burma, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming more than 150 lives across the two nations. The disaster, which hit on Friday, caused buildings to crumble and left thousands in fear as aftershocks rippled through the region.

In Bangkok, dramatic footage captured the collapse of a 33-story apartment building under construction. The scene was a chaos of dust and debris, with terrified onlookers fleeing in panic. Tragically, eight lives were lost in this incident alone, while Burma reported a staggering 144 deaths. Across both countries, the toll is expected to rise further as rescue efforts continue.

The epicenter of the quake was in central Burma, with tremors felt as far as India and China. According to the United States Geological Survey, one aftershock reached a magnitude of 6.4, compounding the damage. Authorities in Bangkok urged residents to remain outside, fearing additional tremors.

In Burma, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing announced on national television that 730 people were injured, alongside the confirmed fatalities. The devastation extended to infrastructure, with a 90-year-old bridge collapsing in the Sagaing region and highway damage reported between Mandalay and Yangon. In the city of Mandalay, historic landmarks, including parts of the former royal palace, suffered severe damage.

Meanwhile, Bangkok's densely populated streets turned into a disaster zone as officials declared the city an emergency area to streamline aid efforts. Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai reported that 90 individuals were still missing following the building collapse near Chatuchak Market. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra convened an emergency meeting to assess the widespread impact.

Survivors shared harrowing accounts of the quake's force. April Kanichawanakul, experiencing her first earthquake, initially mistook the vibrations for dizziness before realizing the building was moving. Fraser Morton, a tourist from Scotland, described the chaos inside a shopping mall, where panicked crowds ran down escalators and debris crashed around them.

Adding to the tragedy, the quake disrupted religious shrines in Burma's capital, Naypyitaw, toppling parts of structures and damaging homes. Across the border in Tibet, China, 188 injuries were reported as the tremors reached neighboring regions.

This shallow earthquake, measured at just 6.2 miles deep, unleashed destruction not only in urban centers but also across critical infrastructure, leaving both countries grappling with the immediate aftermath and long-term recovery efforts.