Thousands feared dead as devastating earthquake strikes Thailand and Myanmar

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked Southeast Asia on Friday, with its epicenter near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city.

The massive quake caused widespread destruction across Myanmar and Thailand, leaving thousands feared d+ad and tr+gg£ring p+nic across the region.

In Bangkok, Thailand, a 30-story skyscraper under construction collapsed near the Chatuchak market, sending thick dust into the air as people fled in terror.

Rescue teams are working to pull survivors from the rubble, with seven people already rescued and dozens still missing. Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai warned that the site remains unstable, complicating search and recovery efforts.

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Elsewhere in Bangkok, tremors forced residents and tourists to evacuate hotels, with some seen in bathrobes as water from an elevated swimming pool at a luxury hotel spilled over. Governor Chadchart Sittipunt confirmed at least two deaths in the city.

In Myanmar, the destruction is severe. A mosque in Taungoo partially collapsed, causing multiple fatalities. In Aung Ban, a hotel collapse killed at least two people and injured 20 others. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) issued a red alert, estimating that fatalities could range between 1,000 and 10,000, with a high likelihood of widespread devastation.

Both Thailand and Myanmar have declared states of emergency as officials assess the d+mage. However, Myanmar’s ongoing civil unrest poses a significant challenge to delivering aid and coordinating rescue operations.

The quake’s aftershocks continue to shake the region, adding to fears of further collapses. As rescue efforts intensify, the true scale of the disaster remains uncertain, but the impact is already being felt across hundreds of miles of affected areas.