 "A search and rescue dog climbs on the rubble as recovery teams try to find trapped people at the site of an under-construction building collapse in Bangkok on March 29, 2025, a day after an earthquake struck central Myanmar and Thailand. The death toll from a huge earthquake that hit Myanmar and Thailand passed 1,000 on March 29, as rescuers dug through the rubble of collapsed buildings in a desperate search for survivors. Source: AFP")
Myanmar was hit by more tremors on Saturday (March 29), a day after the Southeast Asian nation lost over 1,000 lives to a 7.7-magnitude earthquake. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 5.1-magnitude quake near Myanmar’s capital, Naypyidaw, at 2:50 pm IST.
However, India’s National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported the magnitude to be 4.7. The seismic activity was recorded at a depth of 10 kilometres, according to both the US and Indian agencies.
As per the NCS, at least three minor earthquakes of magnitudes ranging from 3.6 to 4.7 have jolted Myanmar on March 29. It is not clear whether these quakes have caused any new loss to infrastructure.
The earthquakes and aftershocks come as authorities in Myanmar rush to repair roads and communication lines. On Saturday, electricity, phone, and internet services remained down across major parts of Naypyidaw.
According to the latest estimates, at least 1,644 people have been killed in Myanmar due to the earthquake, with Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, emerging as the epicentre of destruction. The city has a population of about 1.5 million.
Myanmar’s military-led government has warned that the toll could rise further as rescuers continue to recover bodies from rubble. In a statement, the government said that “detailed figures are still being collected”. On Friday, the USGS projected that the death toll in the country could rise up to 10,000.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsMeanwhile, tremors were felt in neighbouring Thailand too, where an under-construction skyscraper came crashing down in capital Bangkok, killing at least nine people.
Rescue operations entered their second day at the 33-story tower collapse site, with 47 people, including Myanmar workers, still missing or trapped under rubble.
Thai authorities reported that Friday’s quake and aftershocks were felt across most provinces, with damage to residential buildings, hospitals, and temples in northern areas like Chiang Mai. However, casualties were reported only in Bangkok.