Thousands feared dead in horrific earthquake

Dramatic footage shows a building collapsing and tradesmen running for cover after a powerful earthquake rocked Myanmar and Thailand.

It’s feared hundreds of people are dead and many more are trapped under rubble after powerful earthquakes rocked central Myanmar on Friday, buckling roads in the capital Naypyidaw, damaging buildings.

The US Geological Survey forecast thousands of losses after the 7.7 magnitude quake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city.

A building collapsesin Mandalay on March 28, 2025. Picture: AFP

The quake was so large it also affected neighbouring Thailand where a skyscraper under construction collapsed.

A 7.7-magnitude tremor hit northwest of the city of Sagaing on Friday afternoon, followed 11 minutes later by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock. The initial quake struck at a shallow depth of just 10km according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

On Friday authorities in Myanmar, also known as Burma, said144 people had died and 732 had been injured.

The BBC reported those numbers from Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing, who said the figures are expected to rise.

In Thailand, at least nine people have died after a skyscraper came down.

Skyscraper collapses

The 30-storey skyscraper that was under construction in Bangkok’s Chatuchak market with tradesmen seen fleeing for cover in footage uploaded to X by numerous people.

People inspect the debris of a collapsed building. Picture: AFP

Rescue workers conduct a search and rescue operation for trapped people. Picture: Sirachai Arunrugstichai/Getty Images

Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters at least three workers had been killed, with 81 more trapped inside as of 9.30pm AEDT. Seven people have been pulled from the rubble and rescue efforts are still underway.

A nationwide response has been announced by police in Thailand and officers are evacuating people from unstable buildings.

Collapsed construction building with rescue workers. Picture: Sirachai Arunrugstichai/Getty Images

Loved ones of those trapped watctch the search and rescue. Picture: Sirachai Arunrugstichai/Getty Images

The Thai capital has been declared a disaster zone and Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is currently on business in Phuket, is cutting short her trip to return to Bangkok.

At least three other people have been confirmed dead in other parts of Bangkok.

Public buildings, roads and bridges have been damaged throughout the city, and the integrity of some dams are being monitored with fears they may collapse.

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, affecting Naypyidaw and northern Thailand. Picture: X

Buildings were damaged, and residents fled into the streets in panic, particularly in Thailand where workers were killed when a building under construction collapsed. Picture: X

Videos showed a construction site in Bangkok collapsing during the quake. Picture: X

A 6.4-magnitude aftershock occurred minutes later in the same area. Picture: X

At least 80 people are believed to be trapped in the rubble of the collapsed building. Picture: Reuters

20 dead in Myanmar

The epicentre of the quake was 17km from Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city, where at least 20 people are believed to have been killed.

Buildings in five cities and towns, including a hospital in the capital Naypyidaw, have been damaged according to the country’s state media.

A state of emergency has been declared in a number of regions and a junta spokesman told AFP, “We want the international community to give humanitarian aid as soon as possible.”

Cracks are seen on a road in Naypyidaw in central Myanmar. Picture: Sai Aung MAIN / AFP

The quakes were felt as far afield as China, India and Vietnam.

“I heard it and I was sleeping in the house, I ran as far as I could in my pyjamas out of the building,” Duangjai, a resident of the popular northern Thailand tourist city Chiang Mai, told AFP.

According to AFP, chunks of ceilings fell from buildings and roads buckled in Myanmar capital Naypyidaw, a sprawling, purpose-built city with highways up to 20 lanes wide.

A team of AFP journalists were at the National Museum in Naypyidaw when the earthquake struck and the building began shaking.

Pieces fell from the ceiling and walls cracked as uniformed staff ran outside, some of them trembling and tearful, others grabbing mobile phones to try to contact loved ones.

The ground vibrated violently for around half a minute before settling.

There were no immediate reports of casualties after the quakes but they caused panic in nearby cities in northern Thailand and down to capital Bangkok.

Sai, a 76-year-old Chiang Mai resident, was working at a minimart when the shop started the shake.

“I quickly rushed out of the shop along with other customers,” he said.

“This is the strongest tremor I’ve experienced in my life.”

The quake damaged Bangkok buildings and forced the city to suspend some metro and light rail services.

According to a post on X, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said she had interrupted an official visit to the southern island of Phuket to hold an “urgent meeting” after the quake.

Women react in Bangkok on March 28, 2025, after an earthquake. A powerful earthquake rocked central Myanmar on March 28, buckling roads in capital Naypyidaw, damaging buildings and forcing people to flee into the streets in neighbouring Thailand. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

Tremors were also felt in China’s southwest Yunnan province, according to Beijing’s quake agency, which said the jolt measured 7.9 in magnitude.

Earthquakes are relatively common in Myanmar, where six strong quakes of 7.0 magnitude or more struck between 1930 and 1956 near the Sagaing Fault, which runs north to south through the centre of the country, according to the USGS.

A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake in the ancient capital Bagan in central Myanmar killed three people in 2016, also toppling spires and crumbling temple walls at the tourist destination.

– With AFP