Residents Recount Devastation Following Earthquake in Myanmar

Residents in both countries share traumatic experiences while the military junta appeals for international aid amid communication challenges and reports of mass casualties.

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, leading to widespread devastation and panic as buildings collapsed in both Myanmar and neighboring Thailand. Eyewitnesses recounted intense tremors that lasted several minutes, with residents in Yangon describing a sense of helplessness as buildings shook violently around them. One unnamed resident mentioned receiving alarming messages from friends, revealing the earthquake's impact extended far beyond the city.

Countries as far as China and Thailand felt the quake's powerful tremors, which caused significant destruction, including a 30-story high-rise building collapsing in Bangkok and trapping several construction workers beneath the debris. "It was chaos," recalled Sirinya Nakuta, who fled her apartment with her children amidst the barrage of stones falling from above. The ongoing rescue efforts were hampered by the sound of distressed calls from those caught beneath the ruins, sparking fears of widespread injuries and fatalities.

As images of wrecked structures surfaced, Myanmar officials promptly declared a “mass casualty area” at Nay Pyi Taw General Hospital, where many victims awaited assistance. The military junta currently governing Myanmar—a regime under scrutiny since their coup in 2021—made an uncommon appeal for international aid, with junta chief Min Aung Hlaing emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian assistance.

However, access to reliable information remains a significant challenge in the military-ruled nation, with social media platforms and some communication channels experiencing interruptions. As rescue operations are underway, the U.S. Geological Survey issued a “red alert,” anticipating high casualties and extensive damage, with early estimations of the death toll potentially reaching thousands.

In Thailand, life came to a standstill as metro and rail services were suspended, with civilians recalling the sudden and alarming experiences of the quake. Deborah Punmachet described finding herself in a recliner, abruptly flipped over as the shaking intensified, a vivid illustration of the unexpected danger and chaos that enveloped the region.

Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, witnessed significant structural destruction, including parts of the historic royal palace and a century-old bridge. The earthquake marks one of the most powerful seismic events in the region in over a decade, setting off alarm bells across various emergency response organizations and local communities as they brace for the aftermath.