In brief
Residents in Myanmar and Thailand recounted harrowing experiences as a 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked the region on Friday, leading to widespread destruction and panic. The tremors, described as intense and lasting nearly four minutes, were felt as far as China, causing significant devastation including the collapse of a high-rise building in Bangkok that trapped dozens of workers.
In Yangon, a resident who chose to remain anonymous shared his terrifying experience with BBC, recounting how he awakened to violent shaking and was soon flooded with messages confirming that the quake had impacted multiple areas nationwide. Eyewitnesses across the affected regions shared similar tales of chaos and fear, with many fleeing their homes as debris fell.The earthquake wreaked havoc in both Myanmar and neighboring Thailand, toppling buildings and causing infrastructure failures. In Bangkok, 43 workers were trapped under rubble when a 30-story construction site collapsed. Local authorities reported a frantic scene as rescue efforts commenced, with the police chief describing the desperate calls for help arising from beneath the debris.In a somber declaration, Myanmar officials identified a mass casualty zone at Nay Pyi Taw General Hospital, which struggled to accommodate the influx of injuries. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing made an unusual call for international aid as communication lines faltered in the military-ruled state, which has limited access to information. Eyewitness accounts highlighted the extent of the panic in Bangkok, with individuals fleeing restaurants and public spaces as they realized the seriousness of the situation. The tremors derailed metro services and suspended other forms of transportation in the city as people sought safety amid the uncertainty.In Mandalay, social media revealed images of collapsed structures, including portions of the historic royal palace, and infrastructure damage. The U.S. Geological Survey issued dire warnings about the potential for high casualties and extensive damage, with early estimates suggesting that the toll could reach thousands. The full extent of this catastrophic event remains under investigation as rescue efforts and recovery processes unfold across the affected regions.
