International: Two powerful earthquakes measuring magnitudes 7.7 and 6.4 on the Richter scale struck Myanmar on March 28, causing widespread tremors across Southeast Asia. The quakes, with their epicenter near Sagaing, led to the collapse of the iconic Ava Bridge in Mandalay into the Irrawaddy River.
The seismic activity sent shockwaves as far as Thailand’s capital, Bangkok—approximately 900 km away—where panicked residents fled buildings. Water splashed from rooftop pools of high-rises, and several structures swayed under the impact. Metro and rail services in the city were suspended temporarily, and a high-rise under construction in the Chatuchak district collapsed, raising concerns about structural safety. However, no immediate casualties were reported.
In Thailand’s Chiang Mai, the tremors prompted residents to evacuate in haste. “I was sleeping in the house, and then I ran as far as I could in my pyjamas out of the building,” a local resident told AFP.
The earthquakes also triggered aftershocks measuring 4.0 in Meghalaya and several northeastern states of India, though no major damage has been reported.
Social media platforms were flooded with dramatic videos showing buildings shaking violently, people rushing to safety, and the collapse of the under-construction high-rise in Bangkok, leaving a thick plume of smoke behind.
Authorities in Myanmar and Thailand are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage as aftershocks persist. This is a developing story.
Read More: Massive Earthquakes Strike Myanmar, Ava Bridge Collapses into Irrawaddy River