Vietnam Insider

The death toll from the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar last weekend has climbed to at least 2,719, according to the country’s leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Authorities warn the number could rise to 3,000 as search and rescue teams reach remote areas still cut off by the disaster.

In a national address today, Min Aung Hlaing confirmed that 4,521 people were injured, and more than 400 remain unaccounted for. The Global New Light of Myanmar reported that around 500 Muslims were killed while praying in mosques when the quake struck.

At 12:51:02 p.m. local time on April 1—the exact time the earthquake occurred on March 28—the nation observed a poignant minute of silence. Sirens wailed across cities and towns, and all activity came to a halt to honor the victims. In Mandalay, outside the heavily damaged Sky Villa apartment complex, rescue workers stood in silence, hands clasped behind their backs, as a gesture of respect for the lives lost.

The government has declared a week of national mourning through April 6 to “commiserate with the loss of life and widespread destruction.”

Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city with over 1.7 million residents, was the hardest hit. Numerous buildings crumbled, leaving entire neighborhoods in ruins. On the city’s outskirts, a crematorium is operating around the clock to handle the overwhelming number of bodies.

Four days after the quake, many residents remain outdoors, either because their homes have collapsed or out of fear of aftershocks. “I don’t feel safe. There are six- or seven-story buildings near my house that are leaning and could fall at any time,” said Soe Tint, a watch repairman in Mandalay. Many families, including those with infants and young children, are sleeping on blankets spread out on the streets, with only a few managing to find tents for shelter.

International aid has begun to arrive. More than 1,000 rescue workers from other countries are now on the ground in Myanmar. Local media report that nearly 650 people have been rescued from beneath collapsed buildings so far. A global relief effort is underway, including a $100 million aid package to support recovery and humanitarian needs.

The quake’s impact extended beyond Myanmar’s borders. In neighboring Thailand, authorities in Bangkok reported 20 fatalities, most of whom were construction workers killed when a 30-story building under construction collapsed.

As Myanmar continues its search for survivors and mourns its dead, the full extent of the tragedy is still unfolding.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has warned that the death toll from the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar on March 28 could reach as high as 100,000 in a worst-case scenario.

In its preliminary assessment, the USGS estimated a 35% probability that fatalities could range between 10,000 and 100,000, and a 36% chance that the number of deaths may exceed 100,000. These projections are based on the earthquake’s epicenter—located approximately 16 km northwest of Sagaing city—and the vulnerability of local infrastructure.

“Most residents in the affected area live in structures highly susceptible to seismic shaking. Many buildings are constructed with weak masonry and do not meet modern engineering standards, making them particularly vulnerable to collapse,” the USGS report stated.

The agency also estimated a 35% probability of economic losses ranging from $10 billion to $100 billion—equivalent to roughly one-third of Myanmar’s GDP.

Widespread Destruction and Mounting Casualties

The cities hardest hit include Mandalay, Kyaukse, and Taungoo, all of which experienced intense shaking. Early images from the scene show widespread destruction, particularly in Mandalay, where buildings have crumbled into rubble.

Historical data indicates that earthquakes of similar magnitude in this region have resulted in thousands of deaths and triggered secondary disasters such as landslides.

As of the evening of March 28, Myanmar’s military leader, General Min Aung Hlaing, confirmed at least 144 deaths and more than 730 injuries. He cautioned that the casualty figures are likely to rise as rescue efforts continue. General Min also announced that Myanmar is open to receiving international aid and donations and has opened access routes to facilitate relief efforts.

Regional Impact

The tremor was also felt in neighboring Thailand. In Bangkok, at least 10 people have died, and over 100 remain trapped under the rubble of a partially constructed high-rise building that collapsed due to the quake.

A Call for International Aid

Given the scale of the disaster, the USGS has called for urgent international assistance to support emergency response, rescue operations, and humanitarian aid to help mitigate the disaster’s impact.

Myanmar lies in an earthquake-prone region, with six major quakes of magnitude 7.0 or higher recorded between 1930 and 1956 along the Sagaing Fault—a major tectonic boundary running from north to south through the country.

Experts warn that Myanmar’s rapid urban expansion, aging infrastructure, and poor urban planning have increased the vulnerability of its densely populated cities to earthquakes and other natural disasters.

March 28, 2025 – Yangon, Myanmar — A powerful earthquake has devastated Myanmar and parts of neighboring countries, with the confirmed death toll now rising to 167, according to News18.

Myanmar bore the brunt of the disaster, with 163 fatalities and more than 300 people reported injured.

The tremors, which struck with alarming force, were felt across the region, including in Thailand and China. In Thailand, four people lost their lives, and 68 others sustained injuries. China reported two people injured due to the quake.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing as emergency teams race against time to locate survivors and provide aid to the affected communities. Local authorities and international agencies have mobilized resources to assess the damage and coordinate relief efforts.

The full extent of the disaster is still being determined, with officials warning that the number of casualties may rise as more reports come in from remote and heavily affected areas.

This earthquake marks one of the deadliest natural disasters to strike the region in recent years, drawing international concern and offers of support.

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, causing widespread panic and structural damage, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake buckled roads in the capital Naypyidaw and sent tremors as far as China and Thailand.

The USGS reported the epicenter was located 16 kilometers (10 miles) northwest of the city of Sagaing, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. The quake struck at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time (0620 GMT).

In Naypyidaw, AFP journalists reported severe ground shaking that caused roads to buckle and ceiling fragments to fall from buildings. In neighboring Thailand, metro and light rail services in Bangkok were temporarily suspended as a precaution.

The quake was widely felt in northern Thailand, including the popular tourist city of Chiang Mai. “I heard it and I was sleeping in the house. I ran as far as I could in my pajamas out of the building,” said Duangjai, a resident of Chiang Mai, speaking to AFP.

In Bangkok, residents and tourists fled buildings in panic. Eyewitnesses described seeing hotel guests rushing out in bathrobes and swimwear as structures swayed.

Social media footage from Mandalay showed collapsed buildings and debris-strewn streets, though these reports have yet to be independently verified. In Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, residents also evacuated buildings in fear.

China’s earthquake monitoring agency reported tremors in the southwestern province of Yunnan, estimating the quake at a magnitude of 7.9.

Myanmar lies in a seismically active region. According to the USGS, six major earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or higher occurred between 1930 and 1956 along the Sagaing Fault, which runs north to south through the country.

In 2016, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck near the ancient city of Bagan, killing three people and damaging several historic temples.

The quake adds further pressure to Myanmar’s already fragile healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural areas, where access to emergency medical services remains limited.