A powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck central Myanmar on Friday, prompting people to flee buildings in panic in Yangon and as far as Bangkok, Thailand’s capital.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake had a depth of 10km (6.2 miles) and its epicentre was located approximately 17km from Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city with a population of 1.2 million. A strong aftershock followed the initial tremor.
There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties from Myanmar.
“We have started the search and are going around Yangon to check for casualties and damage. So far, we have no information yet,” an officer from the Myanmar Fire Services Department told Reuters.
Social media posts from Mandalay showed collapsed buildings and debris scattered across streets, though these could not be independently verified. In Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, witnesses described crowds rushing out of buildings.
Similar scenes unfolded in Bangkok, where hotel guests, some in bathrobes and swimwear, evacuated onto the streets as alarms blared. The extent of the impact in Myanmar remains unclear as the country grapples with an ongoing civil war.
Welcome to The Independent’s liveblog for Friday 28 March 2025 where we provide the latest updates on Myanmar earthquake that shook the southeast Asian country and its neighbours.
Namita Singh28 March 2025 07:30
