BANGKOK — A powerful earthquake struck on Friday, causing significant damage across Myanmar and Thailand. The tremor, which registered at 7.7 on the Richter scale, has led to tragic losses, including the collapse of buildings and countless lives affected.
As of Sunday, the death toll in Myanmar had risen to 1,644, with an additional 3,408 individuals reported injured and 139 still unaccounted for. In Thailand, particularly in the greater Bangkok area, officials confirmed that 18 people lost their lives, and 33 others were injured, while 78 remain missing.
The earthquake’s epicenter was close to Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city with a population of about 1.5 million. The devastation extends along the Sagaing Fault, a major geological feature located in the country.
Critical infrastructure has suffered greatly; notable sites like the historic Ava Bridge, which connects Sagaing and Mandalay, as well as Mandalay University, have been heavily impacted, according to a statement from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Information from more rural areas is still scarce, and airports in key locations such as Mandalay and Naypyidaw are currently closed, hampering rescue and recovery efforts. Other regions, including Sagaing, Naypyidaw, Magway, Bago, and Shan State, have also reported significant damage. Communication disruptions are complicating emergency response coordination in these areas.
In response to the widespread devastation, the Red Cross has initiated an emergency fundraising campaign, seeking 100 million Swiss francs (approximately $113.3 million) to aid 100,000 individuals across 20,000 households over the next two years.
