Thousands feared dead, mosque collapses, and communication blackout worsens aid efforts
By Tom Sinclair
MYANMAR has declared a national state of emergency following a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck near the central city of Mandalay at around 1:20pm local time on Friday (Mar 28).According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the powerful quake struck at a shallow depth of 10km and was followed just 12 minutes later by a significant 6.4-magnitude aftershock.
The epicentre was near the Sagaing Fault—a historically active fault line that runs through the centre of Myanmar.
The USGS has issued a red alert for potential deaths and damage, warning that “high casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread.” Thousands of deaths are considered likely, according to their preliminary assessments. Of course, this is just an estimate, and not confirmed.
Early reports from the Bago region suggest at least three people died during Friday prayers when a mosque partially collapsed in the town of Taungnoo. “We were saying prayers when the shaking started… three died on the spot,” one witness stated.
In Mandalay, unverified social media footage has shown collapsed buildings, screaming crowds, and debris strewn across streets. A dramatic scene was captured at Mandalay airport, where terrified passengers were seen crouching on the tarmac. Shouts of “Sit down! Don’t run!” echoed in the background of the video.
In the capital Naypyidaw, associated journalists witnessed pieces of the National Museum ceiling fall, as staff fled in panic. Religious sites, including Buddhist monasteries and pagodas, have suffered major structural damage. Photos show some religious monuments cracked, toppled, or reduced to rubble.
Communication lines are down across many areas. The BBC and other international outlets have been unable to reach aid organisations operating inside the country. Access to reliable information is severely restricted due to tight government controls on the media and internet, especially since the 2021 military coup.
Aid complications mount
Myanmar’s healthcare system, already weakened by years of underinvestment and ongoing civil unrest, is under immense pressure. Roads leading to key hospitals in Naypyidaw have been damaged or jammed with traffic, making access difficult. Injured people are reportedly being treated in the streets with IV drips hanging from improvised supports.
Search and rescue operations are underway in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city. A spokesperson from the Myanmar Fire Services Department told Reuters they are assessing damage and searching for casualties, but said no official death toll was available yet.
A history of deadly quakes
Myanmar is no stranger to seismic activity. Between 1930 and 1956, six earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or more struck near the Sagaing Fault. In 2016, a 6.8-magnitude quake near the ancient city of Bagan killed three people and damaged more than 200 historic temples. Seismologists have long warned that the Sagaing Fault remains dangerously active and overdue for a major quake. Friday’s disaster may be the strongest to strike the region in decades.
Tremors felt across the region
The impact of the earthquake was felt far beyond Myanmar’s borders. Tremors were recorded in northern Thailand and as far as China’s Yunnan province. In Bangkok, over 1,000km from the epicentre, a 30-storey building under construction collapsed, reportedly trapping dozens of workers, which we reported here.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
