Urgent: 7.7 Earthquake Rocks Region — Rescue Efforts Underway

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit central Myanmar early Friday afternoon, rocking the country’s second-most-populous city, Mandalay, and shaking buildings more than 600 miles away in the Thai capital, Bangkok. At least 144 people were killed in Myanmar and at least 732 were injured, account to the country’s military junta. The casualty count is expected to rise, said Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the country’s military chief, in a televised address. The quake hit remote areas torn apart by years of civil war, some of which are not under the control of the military government, posing harsh challenges for the distribution of aid and making a full casualty count difficult to ascertain. A state of emergency was declared in Bangkok, where at least eight people were killed and dozens remained trapped after a building under construction collapsed, Thai officials told reporters. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake, which struck near Sagaing, was followed by several aftershocks — including one with a magnitude of 6.4.
Without a hint of warning, the earth convulsed and cracked, sending shockwaves through sleeping towns. Buildings shuddered violently, some giving way entirely.

Barefoot and disoriented, people poured into the streets, their faces etched with fear. What began as a subtle tremor rapidly escalated into one of the most powerful earthquakes the region has seen in years—a terrifying ordeal that had only just begun.

In the early morning hours of Monday, a massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck near the China–Myanmar border.

The quake’s epicenter lay a mere 10 kilometers beneath the surface, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, unleashing violent shaking felt across southern China, northern Thailand, and parts of Myanmar.

Tragically, initial reports confirm dozens of lives lost and hundreds more injured, with countless others feared trapped under collapsed structures.

The quake’s reach extended far beyond its epicenter, rattling major northern Thai cities such as Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, where panicked residents evacuated buildings en masse.

Rescue teams are battling immense challenges—damaged infrastructure, power failures, and broken communication networks—to deliver urgent aid.

Around the clock, emergency responders strive to provide shelter, medical attention, and relief to those caught in the disaster’s wake.

In Summary

As the devastation becomes clearer, the race to save lives intensifies. This powerful quake has left a wide swath of destruction across several countries, underscoring the critical need for swift international cooperation and humanitarian assistance. The hours ahead will be crucial in determining how many can be rescued and cared for……