Massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake, 6.4 aftershock hit Myanmar; tremors felt in Bangkok

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday at 11:50 am IST and strong tremors were felt in neighbouring Thailand as well.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said that the epicentre was 16 kilometres north-northwest of the town of Sagaing, Myanmar.

The initial 7.7-magnitude earthquake was followed by an aftershock of 6.4-magnitude, as per the USGS.

The earthquke was reported at a depth of 10 kms. Such shallow earthquakes usually cause more damage as their closeness to the Earth’s surface means that the siesmic energy released reaches the surface quickly and with more intensity, affecting buildings and people more.

While there is no official word yet on casualties, visuals shared by Reuters from Bangkok show casualties among the construction workers in the city. The local police have confirmed that one under-construction building collapsed in the city and local media have reported that at least 43 people are missing after the collapse of the structure. In Myanmar, visuals have also appeared on social media that claim to show Ava Bridge, also known as the Inwa Bridge, over Irrawaddy River in Myanmar collapsing. The bridge was built by the British in the 1930s.

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In the wake of the earthquake, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared a state of emergency in Bangkok.

BREAKING: At least 43 people missing after tower collapses in Bangkok - local media https://t.co/AphHrD3Hy9

— BNO News (@BNONews) March 28, 2025

Myanmar is currently in the grips of a military junta which makes it hard to get reliable information about earthquake, damage, and casualties in the country. The junta seized power in 2021.

The earthquke was reported at a depth of 10 kms. Such shallow earthquakes usually cause more damage as their closeness to the Earth’s surface means that the siesmic energy released reaches the surface quickly and with more intensity, affecting buildings and people more.

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Reuters reported witnesses as saying that hundreds of people ran out onto the streets of Bangkok in panic and water splashed out of swimming pools. Separately, Sky News reported that buildings were swaying in Bangkok as a result of the earthquake.

This is a developing story. It will be updated as details emerge.