International: Two people have been reported dead and around 30 others remain trapped after two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.7 and 6.4 on the Richter scale struck Myanmar on March 28, sending tremors across Southeast Asia and causing major damage in Bangkok, Thailand. Several northeastern states in India, including Meghalaya, also experienced aftershocks measuring 4.0 in magnitude.
The epicenter of the quakes was located near Sagaing in central Myanmar, where the iconic Ava Bridge in Mandalay collapsed into the Irrawaddy River due to the intense seismic activity.
In Bangkok, approximately 900 km from the epicenter, the impact was severe enough to cause the collapse of a high-rise under construction in the Chatuchak district, killing two laborers and leaving dozens trapped. Rescue operations are underway to locate survivors, while several buildings were evacuated, and metro and rail services in the city were temporarily suspended.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as residents fled their homes. “I was sleeping in the house, and then I ran as far as I could in my pyjamas out of the building,” a resident from Chiang Mai told AFP. Social media was flooded with alarming videos showing buildings swaying, water from infinity pools spilling over skyscrapers, and the high-rise collapse producing a massive plume of smoke.
The Thai government has mobilized emergency teams to respond to the disaster. As aftershocks continue to rattle the region, authorities remain on high alert while search and rescue efforts intensify.
This is a developing story.
Read More: Massive Earthquakes Strike Myanmar, Ava Bridge Collapses into Irrawaddy River