Friday, March 28, 2025, PST – A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, causing widespread damage and loss of life across Southeast Asia, with significant impacts in Bangkok, Thailand.
A massive earthquake hit Southeast Asia on March 28, 2025, centered near Mandalay, Myanmar, registering a 7.7 magnitude on the moment magnitude scale, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Occurring at 12:50 p.m. local time in Myanmar (06:20 UTC) at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, the quake unleashed devastating effects across the region, followed by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock 12 minutes later. Thailand, approximately 600 miles from the epicenter, faced severe consequences, including the collapse of a high-rise construction site in Bangkok, while Myanmar reported extensive structural damage near the quake’s origin.
The epicenter, located 16 kilometers northwest of Sagaing, Myanmar, lies along the seismically active Sagaing Fault, a major transform boundary known for historical quakes exceeding magnitude 7. In Mandalay, the shaking reached “very strong” intensity (MMI VII), toppling multi-story buildings in Amarapura and Pyigyitagon townships. The historic Ava Bridge, spanning the Irrawaddy River, collapsed, and sections of the Mandalay-Yangon highway cracked, disrupting transport. Naypyidaw saw damaged pagodas and roads, while Yangon, 620 kilometers south, felt lighter tremors without immediate reports of collapse. Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict has hampered communication, leaving casualty estimates incomplete, though the USGS predicts significant losses due to the region’s dense population and variable building standards.
In Thailand, Bangkok experienced moderate shaking (MMI IV-V), enough to destabilize a 33-story building under construction in the Chatuchak district, intended for the Office of the Auditor General. The structure collapsed at approximately 1:50 p.m. local time (GMT +7), killing at least 10 workers and leaving over 100 trapped or missing, per Thai authorities. Rescue operations, supported by search dogs, are underway amid a declared state of emergency. The BTS Skytrain paused operations for safety inspections, resuming Saturday, while northern cities like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai reported cracked buildings and minor injuries. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visited the site, emphasizing that damage remains localized and urging residents to stay calm.
The quake’s reach extended across borders, with tremors felt in Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, and China’s Yunnan and Sichuan provinces. In China’s Ruili, near the Myanmar border, minor injuries and property damage occurred, while Hanoi reported swaying buildings without significant harm. Experts attribute the widespread impact to the quake’s shallow depth and high energy release—equivalent to 68.3 tons of TNT—along soft-soil regions like Bangkok’s alluvial plains, which amplify shaking.
Aftershocks continue, with seismologists warning of potential events up to magnitude 6 in the coming days, posing risks to already weakened structures. The USGS notes this as Myanmar’s strongest quake since 1912, highlighting the Sagaing Fault’s ongoing threat. Thailand’s National Earthquake Committee is monitoring developments, advising preparedness for further seismic activity. Readers can track updates via official channels like the USGS or Thai government websites and contribute to verified relief efforts as needs emerge.
Sources:
Ashes on Air 
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