Magnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes Myanmar, triggers widespread devastation and regional impact
Rescue teams scramble to assess the widespread structural damage across Myanmar and Thailand.
On March 28, 2025, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck central Myanmar, unleashing violent shaking that left a trail of destruction across the region. The quake hit approximately 17 km from Mandalay at 06:20 UTC (12:50 local MMT) and registered at a shallow depth of 10 km, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The shallowness of the quake amplified its destructive power, causing extensive damage throughout Myanmar and sending tremors that reached major urban centers as far away as Bangkok, Yangon, and Kolkata.
Figure 1: Macroseismic intensity map of the Mw 7.7 earthquake in Myanmar on March 28, 2025. Source: USGS
Devastation across Myanmar
Rescue crews worked amid collapsed buildings and crumbled roads in Mandalay and Naypyidaw, as government offices, residential structures, cultural landmarks, and historic sites suffered major damage after the quake struck. Bridges and roads buckled under the force, and significant cultural edifices, including monasteries and pagodas, lost portions of their structures. The quake strained public services and medical facilities, causing local officials to declare a state of emergency in six regions and urged international humanitarian aid.
Ripple effects in neighboring Thailand
In Thailand, the tremors rattled Bangkok and other parts of the country. In the Thai capital, an under-construction 33-story skyscraper near Chatuchak collapsed amid the shaking. Local authorities reported that rescue teams worked to free workers trapped under the debris. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as residents evacuated high-rise buildings and rushed onto streets flooded with water from overflowing rooftop pools.
Bangkok’s vulnerability to seismic shaking is heightened by its soft, waterlogged alluvial soils, which amplify ground motion even though the city lies far from the quake’s source. This effect resembles what many experienced during the 2017 Mexico City earthquake, when soft soils magnified the shaking and increased structural damage. In response, Bangkok’s governor declared the city a disaster area and officials suspended rapid transit lines and airport operations while emergency teams assessed the damage.
Regional and Global Impact
Tremors from the Myanmar quake registered in southwestern China and reached neighboring countries like India and Bangladesh, prompting building evacuations in those areas. A strong aftershock, measuring 6.4, hit the region approximately 12 minutes after the main event, complicating recovery efforts and raising concerns about further structural damage.
Response and Ongoing Rescue Efforts
Rescue teams face formidable challenges amid damaged buildings and disrupted infrastructure. In Myanmar, security challenges and heavy infrastructural losses are hindering rapid response, and officials are calling for international assistance. Humanitarian organizations, including the Red Cross, are monitoring the condition of critical structures such as dams and bridges, which could further destabilize communities if they fail. In Thailand, emergency services mobilized quickly to address the building collapse and related hazards in Bangkok, while regional agencies continue to monitor the situation for additional aftershocks.
Rescue teams are laboring through the rubble and working to secure damaged infrastructure as officials assess the long-term impact on communities and the economy. In Myanmar, insurance penetration remains extremely low. As a result, most of the damage will fall on communities and the government, with little financial protection available to support recovery efforts.
Cotality will continue to monitor damage reports and may provide updates on the impact of the earthquake once available.
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