Major Earthquake Strikes Myanmar and Thailand: Rescues Underway

A severe earthquake struck Southeast Asia on Friday, prompting extensive rescue efforts as authorities search for survivors amidst the ruins. In Myanmar, the aftermath remains particularly chaotic.

Approximately 60 hours after the earthquake, rescue teams in Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, successfully extracted three individuals from the rubble, including a five-year-old child and a pregnant woman. Details regarding their condition have not yet been disclosed.

In Bangkok, several high-rise buildings were evacuated due to ongoing aftershocks, with shopping malls, the city courthouse, and numerous government offices also being cleared, as reported by local media. Sirens from emergency vehicles echoed throughout the city, indicating the heightened state of alert. Even three days post-earthquake, the tremors continue, particularly affecting Myanmar, where lighter aftershocks have been reported.

The death toll in Myanmar has tragically reached at least 1,700, with injuries exceeding 3,400, according to reports from the military government. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that the actual number of casualties could be over 10,500. In Thailand, at least 17 lives have been lost, with 83 individuals still unaccounted for, particularly in a collapsed construction site in Bangkok.

International aid efforts have commenced, with countries such as India, China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Russia dispatching rescue teams, aircraft, ships, and essential supplies to Myanmar. The Indian Army is establishing a field hospital in Mandalay to assist the injured.

In light of the disaster, Myanmar's opposition has declared a unilateral ceasefire to facilitate rescue operations, suspending all attacks for two weeks, as stated by the National Unity Government, which emerged as an alternative to the ruling junta following the military coup in 2021. Defensive actions are exempt from this pause.

The earthquake, which occurred on March 28, was measured at 7.7 in magnitude, with its epicenter located near Sagaing, just outside Mandalay. This seismic event has been described by Myanmar's military junta as one of the most powerful earthquakes in the last century, triggering a series of aftershocks. The tremors were felt not only across Myanmar but also in Bangkok, and as far as China and Vietnam, where reports of injuries and building damage have emerged.

The damage in Myanmar has been particularly severe. The city of Sagaing, close to the epicenter, has been reported as entirely devastated, with buildings collapsed and entire streets torn apart. Rescue efforts are being hampered by the scale of destruction, with emergency workers often relying on bare hands to unearth trapped individuals. Hospitals in central and northwestern Myanmar are overwhelmed with the influx of injured individuals.

Critical infrastructure has also suffered extensive damage; the air traffic control tower at Naypyidaw International Airport collapsed, leading to a suspension of operations. Roads and bridges have been compromised, complicating the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

International relief efforts are intensifying. India has sent teams and established a field hospital in Mandalay, while China has quickly responded with airlifts of supplies and rescue personnel from Yunnan province. Singapore is contributing specialized search and rescue teams. Thailand, Malaysia, and Russia have also provided aid in form of supplies and technical expertise. Malteser International is sending a team from Germany to support local efforts already in progress.

This disaster unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing turmoil in Myanmar, where a civil war has been raging since the military coup in February 2021. The conflict has led to widespread poverty, and now, the earthquake exacerbates an already dire humanitarian crisis, raising fears of famine.

The existing political instability complicates the humanitarian response, making it challenging for aid to reach many areas. Distrust in the junta is prevalent, with many citizens relying on local resistance groups and civil organizations for support. The military government has publicly acknowledged the disaster and is investigating the damage while preparing relief efforts in affected areas.

Geologically, the earthquake struck at a shallow depth of only ten kilometers, releasing substantial energy close to the earth's surface. It occurred along the Sagaing Fault, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge, generating tension that periodically results in seismic events. The destructive impact was intensified in Myanmar due to insufficient earthquake-resistant construction and the structural degradation caused by ongoing conflict.