On March 28, 2025, a significant earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck central Myanmar, resulting in catastrophic damage and loss of life.

The earthquake, which was shallow in depth, was felt as far away as Bangkok, Thailand, where it claimed at least 18 lives and caused structural damage.

In Myanmar, authorities have reported approximately 1,700 fatalities, with fears that the death toll may continue to rise as rescue efforts are still underway.

Among the victims was a 35-year-old pregnant woman identified as Mathu Thu Lwin, who died shortly after being rescued from the rubble.

Following two days trapped beneath debris, her medical team performed an amputation in a desperate attempt to save her.

The seismic event was followed by a 6.7 magnitude aftershock, further complicating rescue operations.

In Mandalay, one of the cities nearest to the earthquake's epicenter, significant infrastructural damage has occurred, including the collapse of buildings and bridges and the emergence of fissures on roads.

The Myanmar military junta has reported 3,400 injuries and around 300 individuals still unaccounted for.

Rescue teams, including those from neighboring China, are deployed to locate survivors, with a focus on a partially destroyed building where 180 monks were taking an exam.

A 5.1 magnitude aftershock struck the region on the afternoon of the earthquake, causing panic and temporarily halting rescue operations as people took to the streets.

The United Nations has expressed concern over Myanmar’s inability to effectively respond to such a disaster, highlighting severe shortages of medical supplies and resources.

Prior to the earthquake, UN assessments indicated that approximately one-third of the population was already at risk of famine.

The organization reported that responders lacked essential trauma supplies, blood products, anesthetic agents, and necessary medications.

In response to the urgent need for assistance, the World Health Organization dispatched nearly three tons of medical supplies to hospitals in Mandalay and Naypyidaw, where medical teams are treating thousands of injured victims.

China has sent 82 rescue workers and pledged $13.8 million in aid, while the Red Cross has launched a fundraising campaign aiming to collect $100 million for relief efforts.

The National Unity Government, a shadow opposition body in Myanmar, has called for a two-week ceasefire to facilitate rescue operations in affected areas.

In Bangkok, search and rescue teams continue their efforts to recover individuals trapped under a collapsed 30-story building that was under construction, utilizing excavators, tracking dogs, and thermal drones to locate signs of life.

In total, authorities in Thailand report that 78 individuals remain missing as a result of the building collapse in the Chatuchak district, which is known to be a popular site for both locals and tourists.

The multi-faceted impact of the earthquake underscores both the immediate human toll and the broader difficulties faced in managing disaster response in areas with pre-existing vulnerabilities.