A strong 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar today Friday 28/03/2025, causing widespread panic in both Myanmar and neighboring Thailand. The tremor, which occurred at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), sent residents rushing out of buildings in major cities such as Yangon and even in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, according to multiple eyewitnesses.
The earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately 17.2 kilometers from Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, with a population of around 1.2 million. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the magnitude and depth of the quake, which was followed by a powerful aftershock.
Initial reports indicated a chaotic scene, particularly in Mandalay, where social media posts showed collapsed buildings and debris scattered across streets. However, Reuters could not independently verify these images at the time of reporting. In Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, people were seen fleeing buildings, and the Myanmar Fire Services Department quickly began conducting searches for casualties and assessing damage. An officer from the department, who spoke with Reuters, stated, “We have started the search and going around Yangon to check for casualties and damage. So far, we have no information yet.”
The earthquake also caused alarm across the border in Thailand, with witnesses in Bangkok describing hotel guests rushing onto the streets, some still in bathrobes and swimming costumes. This panic was heightened by the tremor’s intensity, as it was felt across a wide geographical area.
As of now, there has been no official word from Myanmar on the extent of the damage or casualties. Authorities continue to assess the situation. The USGS has classified the quake as a major seismic event, which is being closely monitored for further aftershocks.
While the situation remains fluid, the event highlights the vulnerability of the region to powerful seismic activity and the urgent need for preparedness in both Myanmar and neighboring countries. Further updates are expected as authorities gather more information and conduct damage assessments.
For updates and more information, stay tuned.
Picture by Jacobs School of Engineering, UC San Diego (Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0) for illustrations purposes only
