A devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake strikes Myanmar, triggering widespread destruction across Southeast Asia and leaving a trail of casualties in its wake.
According to The US Sun, at least 144 people have died and 732 others were injured in what experts are calling Myanmar's "earthquake of the century," with the death toll expected to rise significantly as rescue efforts continue.
The natural disaster has wreaked havoc across multiple regions, with the air traffic control tower at Nay Pyi Taw Airport in Yangon collapsing and claiming the lives of all staff members inside. In Bangkok, rescue workers are desperately trying to locate 117 people trapped inside a collapsed skyscraper, while three deaths have been confirmed in Thailand.
Myanmar's military leader Min Aung Hlaing has issued an urgent plea for international aid as the country grapples with the aftermath. The earthquake's initial epicenter struck the city of Mandalay, followed by five powerful aftershocks that triggered a serious red alert for death and damage.
Rescue operations are underway in villages around the Mandalay area, where workers are facing challenging conditions. The lack of proper equipment has forced many to dig through rubble with their bare hands.
The US Geological Survey has categorized the earthquake's intensity as "violent" and warned that casualties could potentially reach 100,000. The disaster's impact has prompted Bangkok's governor to declare the Thai capital a "disaster area."
Terrifying footage captured the moment a 30-story skyscraper in Bangkok collapsed, sending workers fleeing through clouds of debris and dust. The destruction has led to the evacuation of two buildings, with plans to inspect 2,000 more structures by volunteer engineers.
The earthquake's force was so intense that rooftop pools in luxury high-rise buildings overflowed onto the streets below. Public transportation systems, including airports, train stations, and metro services in both Bangkok and Myanmar, have been severely disrupted.
A British tourist, Tiffany Man, described the harrowing experience while visiting Bangkok. The 25-year-old pharmaceutical worker from Manchester witnessed walls cracking around her in her hotel's laundry room.
President Donald Trump has pledged American support to Myanmar, stating he has already contacted officials and offered assistance. The United Nations is also mobilizing resources to help affected areas.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres shared the following statement:
The government of Myanmar has asked for international support and our team in Myanmar is already in contact in order to fully mobilize our resources in the region to support the people of Myanmar. But of course there are other countries impacted. The epicentre is in Myanmar, and Myanmar is the weakest country in this present situation.
Save The Children's Acting Asia Regional Director Jeremy Stoner emphasized the particular vulnerability of children during this crisis:
While the extent of the earthquake damage is still unclear, we know children are the most vulnerable following disaster. It's crucial that the international community acts now to provide support to the thousands of people in need. It will be essential that children are prioritized in any response, as they may be experiencing a natural disaster for the first time, facing trauma from loss or separation from their parents and families.
A massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake has devastated Myanmar and neighboring regions, causing at least 144 deaths and injuring 732 people. The disaster has claimed the lives of air traffic control staff at Nay Pyi Taw Airport and left hundreds trapped in collapsed buildings across Southeast Asia. As rescue operations continue and international aid begins to mobilize, officials warn that the death toll could rise significantly, making this one of the most severe natural disasters to hit the region in recent history.
