A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday afternoon, March 28, 2025, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
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| Damaged buildings due to powerful earthquake in Myanmar on Friday, March 28, 2025. |
The quake caused widespread damage, shaking buildings and alarming residents across Southeast Asia—including as far as Bangkok, Thailand.
Epicenter near Mandalay, shallow depth
USGS reported that the earthquake hit around 12:50 p.m. local time, with a shallow depth of just 10 km (six miles). The epicenter was near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, home to more than one million people.
Minutes later, a 6.4-magnitude aftershock rattled the same area, adding to the chaos.
Building collapse in Bangkok
In Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, the tremors caused a 30-storey building under construction to collapse, trapping 43 workers, according to police and medical reports.
Video shows the moment a skyscraper under construction collapsed due to earthquake in Bangkok. pic.twitter.com/lplJHybFZ1
— Ankush sharma (@Aku_700) March 28, 2025
The massive structure, meant for government offices, crumbled into a heap of rubble and twisted metal within seconds. Videos circulating on social media captured the shocking destruction.
State of Emergency declared
The earthquake disrupted metro and light rail services in Bangkok, forcing authorities to halt operations temporarily.
In response, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared a state of emergency, warning that more tremors could occur within the next 24 hours.
Shockwaves felt in Bangladesh and Vietnam
The powerful quake wasn’t confined to Myanmar and Thailand. The tremors were felt westward in Bangladesh, including in its capital, Dhaka. Fortunately, no immediate reports of damage emerged.
In Vietnam, buildings shook in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, according to the state-run news outlet VnExpress.
A region prone to earthquakes
Myanmar is no stranger to strong earthquakes. According to USGS, six quakes of 7.0 magnitude or higher have struck the country between 1930 and 1956, mostly near the Sagaing Fault, a major seismic zone.
In 2016, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit the ancient city of Bagan, killing three people and damaging historic temples at the UNESCO heritage site.
Aftermath and ongoing warnings
Authorities across the region remain on high alert, closely monitoring aftershocks and potential structural collapses. Emergency teams are working to rescue those trapped and assess further risks.
Residents have been urged to stay vigilant as the situation unfolds.
— The Summit Express
