Myanmar Earthquake: Moment of Terror, Spreading Damage
Moment of Terror, Spreading Damage
On March 28, 2025, at 12:50 PM, central inland Myanmar shook violently. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the Sagaing region, with a very shallow focal depth of only 10km, which amplified the devastation. The epicenter was located approximately 33km west-southwest of Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, and about 248km north-northwest of the capital, Naypyidaw.
Just 12 minutes later, a powerful aftershock measuring 6.4 in magnitude followed, causing additional damage to already collapsed buildings and vulnerable structures. The impact of this earthquake was felt as far as Thailand, Vietnam, and China's Yunnan Province, over 1,000km away, with Bangkok in particular suffering severe damage.
Myanmar in Chaos: Natural Disaster Amid Civil War
The official death toll currently stands at 144, with 732 reported injuries, but experts point out that these figures are likely significantly underreported. Some disaster specialists warn that the final death count could exceed 1,000.
In Myanmar's Mandalay region, historic buildings and the old royal palace were severely damaged, while a 90-year-old bridge in the Sagaing region completely collapsed, paralyzing transportation. Additionally, parts of the major highway connecting Mandalay and Yangon have collapsed, creating major obstacles for the delivery of relief supplies.
A particular concern is that Myanmar is currently in the midst of a serious civil war. Following the military coup in 2021, conflicts between pro-democracy forces and the military have continued, and this earthquake has brought additional catastrophe to an already vulnerable nation. The military regime has declared a state of emergency in six regions, including Naypyidaw, and has requested humanitarian assistance from the international community. However, due to communication network collapse and the military's control of information, it is difficult to assess the full extent of the damage.
Economic experts estimate that the economic damage from this earthquake could amount to 20-30% of Myanmar's GDP, which would be a devastating blow to the Myanmar economy already struggling due to the coup and civil war.
Bangkok's Tragedy: High-Rise Building Collapse
Serious damage also occurred in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, approximately 1,300km away from the epicenter. A 30-story high-rise building under construction collapsed, burying at least 43 people, with more than 3 confirmed deaths so far. The Thai government immediately declared a state of emergency in Bangkok and is focusing all efforts on rescue operations.
Throughout Bangkok's high-rise buildings, swimming pool water overflowed, office ceilings collapsed, and numerous residents felt the vibrations and evacuated buildings in a state of panic. The Thai Meteorological Department reported that the seismic intensity detected in Bangkok reached 4.0, which is a highly unusual figure considering the earthquake occurred more than 1,300km away.
Ripple Effects to Neighboring Countries: Vietnam and China
In Vietnam, residents in both southern Ho Chi Minh City and northern Hanoi felt the tremors and evacuated buildings. Particularly in Ho Chi Minh City, strong vibrations lasted for about 2 minutes in high-rise buildings, causing fear among many people.
Building damage and injuries were also reported in China's Yunnan Province, and the China Earthquake Administration issued warnings to surrounding areas immediately after the earthquake. Weak tremors were detected in eastern regions of India, but no damage was reported.
Difficulties in Rescue Operations and International Response
The current situation in Myanmar presents significant challenges for rescue operations. Following the military coup, access for foreign rescue teams has been limited due to deteriorated international relations. Security instability due to civil war and the destruction of basic infrastructure such as roads and communications are making relief efforts even more difficult.
The United Nations and the International Red Cross are in discussions to dispatch emergency response teams, but it remains uncertain how quickly substantial support can be provided due to accessibility issues. Some countries note that effective relief is difficult without cooperation from Myanmar's military regime, and they are struggling to find a balance between humanitarian assistance and political stance.
Seismological Significance and Future Outlook
Seismologists explain that this earthquake occurred at the collision point between the Indo-Australian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. While this region is known to be seismically active, large-scale earthquakes like this are relatively rare.
Experts warn that aftershocks are likely to continue for weeks to months, with particularly strong aftershocks of magnitude 5.0 or greater potentially causing additional damage. Consequently, safety assessments of already damaged buildings and infrastructure, along with evacuation plans, have become increasingly important.
Humanitarian Crisis and the Role of the International Community
Myanmar is facing an additional humanitarian crisis due to this earthquake, having already generated about 1.7 million internally displaced persons due to civil war. Concerns about the spread of infectious diseases are growing as the supply of basic necessities such as clean water, food, and medicine has been interrupted or become insufficient.
The international community agrees that humanitarian assistance is necessary regardless of the political situation, and international NGOs such as Médecins Sans Frontières and Oxfam are exploring support options through local partners.
Conclusion: A Long and Difficult Road to Recovery
This earthquake, which struck Myanmar and neighboring countries, goes beyond a simple natural disaster, inflicting additional damage on a region already facing complex political and humanitarian crises. Particularly in Myanmar's case, the disaster response and recovery process are expected to become more complicated due to the combined effects of civil war, military regime control, and economic difficulties.
In the coming months, even years, the region will have to undertake a long and difficult journey to recover from the aftermath of the earthquake. Continuous attention and support from the international community, as well as cooperation within the region, are more important now than ever before.
The damage caused by the series of earthquakes continues to be tallied, and rescue operations and humanitarian assistance will continue. While there are voices hoping that this disaster could serve as an opportunity for new cooperation in an already conflict-divided region, the possibility remains unclear amid the realistic difficulties.