As of now at the time of filing this report, Myanmar’s military government reports 144 deaths and 732 injuries across three cities.

The latest emerging news from Myanmar centers around a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar on March 28, 2025, with significant impacts felt across the region. Here’s a summary of the key developments based on available information:

Earthquake Impact: The quake’s epicenter was near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, approximately 16-17 km northwest of Sagaing, at a depth of 10 km. It has caused widespread destruction, including collapsed buildings, bridges, and roads. In Mandalay, notable incidents include the collapse of the Shwe Phone Shein Mosque during prayer time, killing at least 20 people, and a fire at Mandalay University, with reports of heavy damage and feared casualties. In the capital, Naypyidaw, a 1,000-bed hospital has become a “mass casualty area,” with at least 20 deaths reported there and rows of injured being treated outside due to structural damage.

Casualties and Damage: Myanmar’s military government reports 144 deaths and 732 injuries across three cities, though the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimates the toll could exceed 1,000, potentially reaching tens of thousands, given the country’s dense population and poor infrastructure readiness. In Bangkok, Thailand, at least seven to eight people died in the collapse of a 30-story skyscraper under construction, with dozens still missing. Tremors were also felt in China, India, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, with damage reported in China’s Yunnan province.

Response Efforts: Myanmar’s junta has declared a state of emergency in six regions, including Mandalay and Naypyidaw, and made a rare request for international humanitarian aid. The Myanmar Red Cross is actively involved in search-and-rescue operations and facilitating emergency blood donations. Internationally, the U.S., under President Donald Trump, has pledged assistance, while the United Nations allocated $5 million for life-saving operations. The World Health Organization is mobilizing trauma supplies from Dubai.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded in social media:

Regional Effects: In Thailand, Bangkok was declared a disaster area, with urban rail systems halted and a state of emergency in place. Videos show buildings swaying and water spilling from high-rise pools, reflecting the quake’s reach. In Myanmar, communication challenges due to power outages, damaged infrastructure, and the junta’s history of internet censorship are slowing the flow of information, raising fears that the full extent of the disaster may take weeks to assess.

Context: This earthquake compounds Myanmar’s existing challenges, including an ongoing civil war and strained medical systems, worsened by last year’s Typhoon Yagi, which killed over 200 and displaced 320,000. The USGS notes Myanmar’s seismic activity stems from its position on tectonic plate boundaries, though large quakes in the Sagaing region are relatively rare.

Rescue efforts continue amid warnings of aftershocks, with the situation evolving as more details emerge from this disaster-stricken nation.

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