7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Devastates Myanmar and Thailand, A Call for Aid
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, killing at least 144 and injuring over 700. The quake caused extensive destruction, particularly in Mandalay and Bangkok. The Myanmar military has requested international aid as the UN pledges assistance. Many regions remain cut off, complicating rescue efforts.
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025, claiming at least 144 lives and injuring over 700 individuals. The earthquake’s epicenter was located near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city. Significant aftershocks, including one measuring 6.4, exacerbated the devastation, resulting in widespread destruction across the region.
The quake led to the collapse of numerous buildings in Myanmar and neighboring Thailand, with a particularly tragic incident occurring in Bangkok, where a 33-story building under construction fell, causing at least 10 fatalities and leaving over 100 people unaccounted for.
In Naypyitaw, Myanmar’s capital, the earthquake flattened homes and government structures. The calamity was worsened by dam failures in the city, resulting in flooding in adjacent lowland regions. Furthermore, two major bridges collapsed, crippling transport routes and hindering ongoing rescue operations.
Faced with the aftermath of the earthquake and already entangled in a civil war, Myanmar’s military government issued a rare request for international assistance. The United Nations has committed $5 million in emergency support, while President Donald Trump announced that the United States will provide aid, despite apprehensions surrounding recent reductions in foreign aid.
Before the earthquake, over 20 million people in Myanmar required humanitarian assistance, and there are concerns that this number will rise as search-and-rescue efforts advance into isolated areas.
To assist with relief efforts, donations can be made to organizations such as Mercy Corps and UNICEF USA, both of which aim to deliver emergency shelter, clean water, medical supplies, and support for families affected by the disaster.
The 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar has caused significant loss of life and widespread destruction, prompting an urgent call for international aid. Rescue operations are complicated by the devastation of infrastructure and ongoing civil unrest. Organizations like the UN and UNICEF USA are stepping in to provide critical support, but the scale of assistance needed is likely to grow as conditions worsen in affected regions.
Original Source: wfirnews.com
