KUALA LUMPUR – A powerful earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, causing widespread tremors felt as far away as Bangkok, Thailand, and China’s Yunnan province.
The magnitude of the quake varied across different agencies, with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reporting a 7.7 magnitude event, while the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) recorded it at 6.9. The China Earthquake Networks Centre (CENC) estimated the magnitude at 7.9.
The epicenter of the earthquake was near Myanmar’s Sagaing region, about 16km northwest of the city of Sagaing and close to Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city. The quake struck at a depth of approximately 10km, causing significant structural damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Reports from Myanmar’s capital, Naypyidaw, indicated that roads were buckled and ceilings collapsed due to the tremors. A bridge spanning the Irrawaddy River in Mandalay was seen collapsing into the water in video footage obtained by CNN.
In Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, residents reported strong shaking lasting about a minute, prompting many to rush out of their buildings in fear. Communication networks in the city briefly went down before being restored.
The affected regions, particularly Sagaing, have been at the centre of clashes between military forces and rebel groups, making access and emergency response efforts more challenging.
In neighbouring Thailand, the earthquake sent panic through major cities, including Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Videos circulating on social media also showed a partially constructed building in Bangkok collapsing, with local media reporting 43 workers missing after the incident.
Hundreds of people have been evacuated as tremors caused water to splash out of swimming pools.
In Chiang Mai, residents described strong shaking that lasted for about 10 seconds, leading many to flee their homes and seek safety outdoors, AFP reported.
Meanwhile, tremors were also felt in China’s Yunnan province, with reports confirming the impact from the Chinese news agency Xinhua.
As of press time, there have been no official casualty reports, but damage assessments are still ongoing in Myanmar, according to reports. Authorities and humanitarian agencies are monitoring the situation closely as further aftershocks remain a possibility. – March 28, 2025