A catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked central Myanmar on Friday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake and causing widespread panic across neighboring regions.
The earthquake's epicenter was located just 18 kilometers from the city of Sagaing, striking at 12:50 pm local time.
In Myanmar, the death toll has risen to at least 20, with a 1,000-bed hospital overwhelmed by the influx of casualties, described by news agency AFP as a "mass casualty area." As rescue operations intensify, the nation grapples with the enormity of the disaster.
The quake sent shockwaves as far as Bangkok in northern Thailand, where alarming scenes unfolded, including skyscrapers visibly shaking and water cascading from an infinity pool hundreds of feet to the ground.
Bangkok has declared a state of emergency, and videos have surfaced on social media platform X, showing the chaos. One particularly harrowing clip captures the complete collapse of an under-construction skyscraper, with up to 78 people reported missing. Three fatalities have been confirmed at the site.
In another video, chandeliers swayed violently in a conference room at Bangkok's Athenee Hotel, highlighting the quake's pervasive reach. Meanwhile, in Myanmar's Mandalay, footage reveals a partially collapsed residential building precariously supported by an adjacent structure.
Tragically, an old bridge over the Irrawaddy River succumbed to the quake's force, adding to the region's infrastructural devastation.
During the earthquake, a team of AFP journalists at the National Museum in Naypyidaw reported scenes of chaos, as pieces fell from the ceiling, walls cracked, and staff hurriedly evacuated the premises in tears, attempting to reach loved ones.
The seismic activity extended beyond Myanmar, with minor tremors felt in Kolkata and parts of Manipur in India, as well as Dhaka and Chattogram in Bangladesh, according to the Press Trust of India (PTI). Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended offers of assistance in the aftermath of the quake.
Earthquakes are not uncommon in Myanmar, as its location near the Sagaing Fault makes it susceptible to significant seismic events. Historical records note six major earthquakes of 7.0 magnitude or higher occurring between 1930 and 1956.
More recently, a 6.8-magnitude quake in 2016 struck Bagan, leading to the deaths of three individuals and damaging historic temples.
Myanmar's limited medical infrastructure, particularly in its rural areas, adds to the country's challenges as it attempts to respond to this latest disaster. As rescue efforts continue, regional support and international assistance may prove vital in the days ahead.