A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit central Myanmar on Friday, unleashing widespread devastation. With its epicenter just 20 kilometers from Mandalay, the quake has raised the death toll to 1,644, injured 3,408, and left 139 people missing.
National authorities have declared a state of emergency across the Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, northeastern Shan State, Nay Pyi Taw, and Bago regions. As the strongest quake of the year, its impact has resonated well beyond Myanmar's borders.
Neighboring countries reported significant tremors. In Thailand, state of emergency measures were imposed in Bangkok after the quake claimed 10 lives, injured 42, and left 78 missing. Northern provinces such as Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son also experienced noticeable shaking, with some attractions in the Pai District collapsing.
Residents in Laos felt intense shaking in high-rise buildings in Vientiane, while cities in Vietnam, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, experienced similar tremors. The southwestern region of the Chinese mainland, especially Yunnan Province near Ruili City, saw 847 residences damaged, with two people injured and rescue teams working to free those trapped.
The quake even sent ripples of alarm in Bangladesh, where cities like Dhaka and Chattogram have been put on alert for potential aftershocks.
This disaster compounds an already critical humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, where nearly 20 million people face hardship and over 3.5 million have been displaced. In response, the international community has mobilized: the United Nations allocated $5 million for relief, India dispatched 15 tonnes of supplies including tents, blankets, and medications, and aid has also come from Russia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
A Chinese national rescue team of 82 members from the Chinese mainland arrived in Myanmar with essential rescue equipment and supplies by chartered flight, further supported by China’s Yunnan Rescue Medical Team and additional shipments of tents and blankets.
This unfolding crisis highlights the interconnected nature of our region and the vital role of global solidarity in supporting communities struck by disaster.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
