A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand on March 28, 2025, sending shockwaves through Bangkok, triggering mass evacuations, and causing severe structural damage.
The quake, which struck at 1:30 p.m. local time, violently shook high-rise buildings in Bangkok, forcing thousands to flee to the streets. A construction site collapsed, leaving at least 43 workers unaccounted for, with emergency crews racing to locate survivors.
Just 12 minutes later, a 6.4-magnitude aftershock rattled the region, worsening the destruction and heightening fears of additional collapses.
In Myanmar’s capital, Naypyitaw, roads cracked under the force of the tremor, and debris rained down from buildings. A major hospital declared a “mass casualty area,” with emergency responders struggling to assess the full extent of injuries and fatalities.
With Bangkok home to over 17 million people, panic spread as alarms blared across the city. Office workers and residents rushed to safety as rooftop pools overflowed and falling debris was reported in multiple locations.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has convened an emergency meeting to assess the situation and coordinate response efforts.
According to preliminary reports from the U.S. Geological Survey and Germany’s GFZ Geoscience Center, the earthquake was shallow, striking at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) with its epicenter in Myanmar.
Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant as aftershocks continue to pose a serious risk.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for further updates.
