Myanmar Earthquake: 3 Dead, 90 Missing In Bangkok High-Rise Collapse; Indian Mission Issues Helpline

Aligarh News March 28, 2025

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A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, triggering tremors in Thailand. A Bangkok high-rise collapse killed 3, leaving 90 missing. The Indian Embassy issued a helpline as rescue efforts continue.

A massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday midday, with tremors felt across Thailand, killing at least 20 people and trapping dozens under a collapsed high-rise construction site in Bangkok. The Myanmar military-led government has declared a state of emergency in six regions, including Naypyitaw and Mandalay, as rescue efforts face challenges amid the country’s ongoing conflict.

The earthquake killed more than 20 people across Myanmar and Thailand as it toppled buildings and bridges, news agency AFP reported. 

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) and Germany’s GFZ Centre for Geosciences reported that the epicentre was near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles). A strong 6.4-magnitude aftershock followed soon after.

Myanmar Struggles With Rescue Amidst Conflict

The Myanmar Red Cross reported that downed power lines were making it difficult for teams to reach the Mandalay, Sagaing, and southern Shan regions. “Initial reports from the ground suggest the earthquake has caused significant damage,” the organisation said, as per news agency AP. “Information on humanitarian needs is still being gathered.”

The National Centre for Seismology later confirmed another 4.4-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar.

Dr. OP Mishra, director of the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), told news agency ANI, "It occurred in the longest fault in Myanmar, Sagaing Fault. Its length is 1200 km. This fault has generated several earthquakes in the past of magnitude more than 7. This is not the first earthquake with a magnitude 7... This is a very highly seismic-prone zone where there are greater chances for an earthquake to take place... Its depth was in the shallow range, between 20 and 30 km... When the main shock occurred at 11.50 am, around 12 noon, the earthquake generated an aftershock of magnitude 7... Between 12.30 pm and 1 pm, another aftershock of magnitude 5 occurred. There was an aftershock of 4.9, too. It means that three aftershocks have already occurred."

"The damage in Bangkok, Thailand, occurred because Sagaing Fault's rupture headed towards Bangkok, and several people felt the tremors there. It is the alluvial belt of Bangkok where the chances of liquefaction are quite high. liquefaction... Buildings were not able to withstand it, so there was damage there... Within 24 hours, we will get to know how many aftershocks came," he explained.

In a rare appeal, Myanmar's ruling junta has requested international humanitarian aid and declared a state of emergency across six regions after a powerful quake hit the country.

Rescue efforts are ongoing, but with the situation in Myanmar already strained due to civil war, there are concerns about the response capacity in the worst-hit areas.

Bangkok Construction Collapse Kills Three, Leaves 90 Missing

In Bangkok, a high-rise under construction collapsed, killing at least three people and leaving 90 missing, according to Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The deceased include a construction worker whose truck was struck by falling debris, and another who was crushed under the rubble, according to rescue worker Songwut Wangpon, AP reported.

“Seven people have been rescued so far,” first responders said, but added that the debris was still too unstable for them to begin searching for those trapped underneath, as per AP.

A viral video on social media captured the moment the building, with a crane on top, collapsed near the popular Chatuchak market. A massive cloud of dust rose as onlookers screamed and ran.

Indian Embassy Issues Helpline

The Embassy of India in Bangkok has issued an emergency helpline (+66 618819218) for Indian nationals in Thailand. “After powerful earthquake tremors recorded in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand, the Embassy is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with Thai authorities. So far, no untoward incident involving any Indian citizen has been reported,” the embassy said. “All members of the Indian Embassy in Bangkok and Consulate in Chiang Mai are safe.”

Bangkok Declared Disaster Zone, Transit Systems Shut Down

With panic spreading across Bangkok, authorities evacuated high-rise buildings and shut down the city’s elevated rapid transit and subway. City Hall declared Bangkok a disaster area to enable swift inter-agency emergency response.

“The whole building began to move. Immediately there was screaming and a lot of panic,” Fraser Morton, a Scottish tourist, who was shopping for camera equipment in a mall, told AP. “I just started walking calmly at first, but then the building started really moving… a lot of screaming, a lot of panic, people running the wrong way down the escalators.”

Like Morton, thousands of people fled to Benjasiri Park, seeking refuge from high-rises and shopping centres along Sukhumvit Road. Many frantically called loved ones, while others nervously watched the swaying buildings.

A local told ANI, "Everyone is scared, children are hungry...sitting outside the houses... The situation is very bad. The Prime Minister has announced an Emergency...Please, everyone, pray for Bangkok..."

The sound of sirens filled central Bangkok as emergency responders scrambled to assess the full extent of the damage. With over 17 million people in the Greater Bangkok area, concerns remain about the structural safety of high-rise apartments and offices.

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