Powerful 7.7-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Central Myanmar, Tremors Felt Across Region

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.