Myanmar Earthquake: Fears Rise as Death Toll May Exceed 10,000

The worst fears for Myanmar are being confirmed as nearly 700 people have been found dead following the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the country on Friday (March 28, 2025), impacting Thailand as well. International aid has begun to arrive in Myanmar, where rescue teams are racing against time to locate survivors amidst the rubble of collapsed buildings. According to the latest report from Myanmar’s military junta, at least 1,000 lives have been lost. The earthquake caused the deaths of 1,002 people and injured another 2,376, authorities stated while appealing for international assistance. Analysts from the U.S. Geological Survey estimate that the cost of rebuilding damages could exceed the country’s GDP. Mandalay, the second-largest city, suffered the most significant damage near the earthquake’s epicenter, which was the strongest quake in over a century. Rescue teams from China and Russia have arrived with advanced equipment and trained personnel. Despite efforts, the disaster couldn’t have come at a worse time for Myanmar, given its ongoing political instability and economic struggles since the 2021 military coup. More than three million people have been displaced, and over one-third of the population requires humanitarian aid. Myanmar’s leader Min Aung Hlaing called upon every nation to provide humanitarian assistance or financial support for relief efforts. The 7.7-magnitude quake and subsequent strong aftershocks spread panic across a 1,000-kilometer radius. In Bangkok, rescuers worked overnight searching for survivors after a 33-story under-construction skyscraper collapsed, killing nine and leaving around 100 missing. Over 400 Bangkok residents camped in a city park, fearing returning to their homes.