A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck Myanmar on 28 March, 2025, followed closely by a magnitude 6.4 aftershock, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The initial tremor was recorded at 12:50 pm local time (06:20 GMT).
The epicentre of the primary earthquake was located 16 kilometres northwest of Sagaing city, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres. Such shallow depths are often associated with more intense surface shaking and a higher potential for damage.
The China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC), as reported by Xinhua news agency, recorded the tremor as magnitude 7.9. CENC confirmed that tremors were felt in the southwestern province of Yunnan, which borders Myanmar.
In Myanmar, structural damage was immediately apparent. According to AFP reporters in the capital Naypyidaw, roads were buckled by the force of the seismic waves, and chunks of ceilings collapsed inside buildings, highlighting the quake’s destructive potential.
Across the border in Thailand, panic ensued in major urban centres. In Bangkok, residents of high-rise buildings evacuated as the tremors were felt for an extended period. Eyewitnesses described how water spilled from rooftop pools, illustrating the tremors’ strength even hundreds of kilometres away from the epicentre.
As of now, no official casualty figures have been released by Myanmar’s authorities. Emergency response teams have been mobilised to assess structural damage and potential injuries in the affected areas.
The seismic event triggered alerts across Southeast Asia, with regional authorities monitoring for aftershocks or secondary hazards, such as landslides in mountainous terrain or structural collapses in vulnerable urban zones.
Earthquakes are not uncommon in Myanmar, which lies near the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The country is part of a seismically active region, known as the Sunda megathrust, that has historically experienced damaging earthquakes.
Previous quakes in the area, such as the magnitude 6.8 event in central Myanmar in 2016 that damaged ancient temples in Bagan, serve as a reminder of the ongoing risk in the region. However, Friday’s magnitude 7.7 quake is one of the strongest in recent years.
There has been no immediate tsunami warning issued, as the earthquake occurred inland. Nevertheless, regional alert systems remain active in case of further seismic activity that could impact coastal zones.
In neighbouring China, local authorities in Yunnan reported that buildings swayed but no immediate damage or injuries were reported. The government has advised residents to remain alert as aftershocks could follow.
Thailand’s Meteorological Department confirmed the tremors were not unusual given the region’s geological context. However, they advised buildings be inspected for possible structural damage, particularly high-rise developments in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
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