Powerful 77 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Thailand and Myanmar High Rise Collapses in Bangkok

Bangkok – A massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Thailand and neighboring Myanmar on Friday, causing widespread destruction and resulting in the collapse of a high-rise building under construction in Bangkok. The quake, which sent tremors across the region, has left at least two people dead and many others feared trapped under debris.

Thai emergency responders confirmed that the 30-storey skyscraper, being built for government offices in central Bangkok, came crashing down after the quake struck. News agency AFP reported that 43 workers were at the site when the structure collapsed, and authorities are racing against time to locate survivors. The exact number of those still trapped remains uncertain, with search-and-rescue teams working tirelessly through the night. At least three workers were killed when a 30-storey under-construction tower collapsed in Bangkok after a major earthquake on Friday, the Thai deputy prime minister said.

Phumtham Wechayachai said 81 people were trapped in the rubble after the collapse, which followed the powerful 7.7 magnitude quake centred in Myanmar.

Residents of Bangkok described terrifying moments as the ground shook violently, sending people rushing out of buildings in panic. “I was on the 20th floor of my apartment when everything started swaying. It felt like it would never stop,” said a resident in the city’s Sukhumvit area.

Beyond Thailand, the earthquake caused severe damage in Myanmar, where infrastructure has taken a significant hit. In the Sagaing region, southwest of Mandalay, a historic 90-year-old bridge collapsed, disrupting transport and communication links. Sections of the key highway connecting Mandalay to Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, have also been severely damaged, leaving authorities struggling to assess the full extent of the destruction.

Emergency teams in both countries have been deployed to provide aid, and hospitals are on high alert for incoming casualties. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed deep concern over the disaster and assured the public that every effort is being made to assist victims. “We are mobilizing all necessary resources to support rescue operations and ensure the safety of our citizens,” he said.

In Myanmar, where earthquakes are more common due to its location on the active Sagaing Fault, government officials are coordinating relief efforts. Reports suggest that some remote villages may have also suffered heavy damage, though communication with these areas remains limited.

The earthquake, which struck at a depth of approximately 35 kilometers, was felt as far as Vietnam and parts of southern China. While aftershocks have been reported, experts warn that additional tremors could follow in the coming days. Authorities have urged people to stay vigilant and avoid unstable buildings.
As rescue operations continue, families anxiously await news of their loved ones, hoping for miracles amid the devastation. With the death toll expected to rise, both Thailand and Myanmar are bracing for the long road to recovery from one of the most powerful earthquakes to hit the region in years.