PTI, BANGKOK/NEW DELHI, MARCH 28, 2025 : A powerful earthquake rocked Myanmar and neighboring Thailand on Friday, destroying buildings, a bridge, and a dam. At least 144 people were killed and 730 injured in Myanmar, where photos and videos from two hard-hit cities showed extensive damage.
The 7.7-magnitude quake, with an epicenter near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, struck at midday and was followed by a strong 6.4-magnitude aftershock. The full extent of death, injury, and destruction was not immediately clear—particularly in Myanmar, one of the world’s poorest countries, which is also embroiled in a civil war and has tightly controlled information.
The head of Myanmar’s military government, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, said in a televised speech on Friday evening that at least 144 people were killed and 730 others injured, warning that the toll could rise.
Photos from the capital Naypyidaw showed multiple buildings used to house civil servants destroyed by the quake, with rescue crews pulling victims from the rubble. Myanmar’s government said blood donations were in high demand in the hardest-hit areas.
Images of buckled roads in Mandalay, damaged highways, and the collapse of a bridge and a dam raised further concerns about how rescuers would reach affected areas in a country already enduring a humanitarian crisis.
India’s Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep concern over the devastation in Myanmar and Thailand. He assured that India stands ready to offer all possible assistance to both countries.
“Concerned by the situation in the wake of the earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Praying for the safety and well-being of everyone,” Modi posted on X.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to attend the BIMSTEC regional summit in Bangkok next week, where discussions on disaster relief may be included. He further stated, “India stands ready to offer all possible assistance. In this regard, I have asked our authorities to be on standby and also directed the MEA to remain in touch with the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand.”
Thailand’s Response
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has called an emergency meeting to assess the impact of the quake.
BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) comprises India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, and Bhutan.
