A devastating earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck central Myanmar (formerly Burma) on March 28, 2025, sending shockwaves across Southeast Asia and triggering widespread panic, destruction, and uncertainty. The quake — one of the strongest in the region in more than a century — was felt as far away as Bangkok, Thailand, causing significant damage, mass evacuations, and prompting fears of aftershocks. Wikipedia+1
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake’s epicenter was located near the city of Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, at a relatively shallow depth of around 10 kilometers below the Earth’s surface. This shallow depth contributed to the extreme shaking felt across large distances. USGS
Widespread Panic and Immediate Response
The ground began to shake without warning at around midday, prompting thousands of residents in cities such as Mandalay, Sagaing, and neighboring capitals to flee their homes and offices in fear. In Bangkok, where the tremors were strong enough to rattle skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, people poured into the streets, descending emergency stairwells and seeking safety in open areas. AP News
The powerful shaking lasted long enough to unsettle millions across the region, disrupting transportation, closing schools temporarily, and causing significant logistical challenges for emergency responders. Al Jazeera
Devastating Damage and Human Toll
Myanmar, already facing political and humanitarian challenges, suffered the brunt of the impact. The quake caused massive destruction to infrastructure, residential buildings, hospitals, schools, and religious sites. In many areas near the epicenter, entire neighborhoods were left in ruins. Wikipedia
Casualty figures vary by source, reflecting the complexity of rescue efforts in hard-hit regions. Official assessments report thousands of fatalities and many more injuries, with thousands more missing as search and rescue teams comb through collapsed structures. The U.S. Geological Survey noted that combined death figures could be extensive due to the magnitude and impact on densely populated zones. Wikipedia
In some of the worst-affected areas of Myanmar, decades-old buildings were reduced to rubble, and vital infrastructure such as bridges, highways, and airports was severely damaged, complicating relief efforts. Center for Disaster Philanthropy
Impact Reaches Neighboring Thailand
In Thailand, the earthquake’s effects were equally alarming despite being centered hundreds of miles away. In Bangkok, the tremors were strong enough to collapse a high-rise building that was under construction, leading to dozens of confirmed deaths and injuries. Thousands of workers were believed to be inside the structure when it fell, and rescue efforts were immediately initiated. Wikipedia
The building collapse highlighted the unpredictable nature of seismic waves, which can amplify in soft, low-lying soil — a condition common in parts of Bangkok — causing structures to shake more intensely even far from the original epicenter. Wikipedia
Aftershocks, Emergency Measures, and Ongoing Uncertainty
Major aftershocks followed the main quake, some measuring above magnitude 6.0, prompting authorities to warn of further risks and urging residents to remain cautious. USGS
Both Myanmar and Thailand declared states of emergency in affected areas. In Myanmar, officials allowed international rescue teams to enter the country to bolster search and relief efforts, marking a rare opening for foreign aid in recent years. Reuters
Regional and Global Response
The scale of destruction and loss has drawn international attention and concern. Humanitarian organizations and governments from around the world began mobilizing support, offering emergency supplies, medical assistance, and logistical resources to aid the overwhelmed local response. Center for Disaster Philanthropy
The tragedy has also sparked discussions on building standards, disaster preparedness, and seismic risk awareness across Southeast Asia — regions where powerful earthquakes, though less frequent, can have catastrophic consequences when they occur. Scientific American