Death Toll Rises Over 1600 Following Earthquake in Thailand and Myanmar

As of March 29, 2025, the confirmed death toll from the earthquake that struck Myanmar has risen to 1,644, according to the military government. The earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 7.7, occurred on March 28 and has left 2,370 individuals injured and 139 unaccounted for. The Red Cross in Myanmar characterized the damage as catastrophic, raising alarms about the potential failure of dams along the Irrawaddy River.

The situation in Myanmar remains chaotic. The country has been engulfed in violence and turmoil since a military coup in February 2021, with various rebel factions actively opposing the military regime. Information from the region is scarce, and the military junta has only reported verified fatalities, while an additional 30 individuals are officially listed as missing. Efforts are underway to compile more detailed casualty lists.

Experts from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have suggested that the actual number of fatalities could be significantly higher, potentially exceeding 10,000 across Myanmar and surrounding areas. In response to the disaster, the European Commission activated its Copernicus satellite service to assess the impact of the earthquake and announced an initial allocation of EUR2.5 million for emergency aid. Russia has also pledged assistance, sending a team of 120 trained rescuers, including medical personnel and search dogs.

In Thailand, the official death toll stands at three, although reports indicate that the number may rise to as many as ten, with 101 individuals reported missing in Bangkok alone. The Thai Meteorological Department recorded aftershocks following the initial quake, with 77 aftershocks reported, though most were of lesser intensity and barely perceptible.

In Bangkok, a construction site collapse has buried over 40 workers. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, but the condition of many missing remains uncertain, with at least two fatalities confirmed thus far. The full extent of the damage in both Thailand and Myanmar has yet to be determined.

China, one of Myanmar's few allies, has dispatched a small disaster response team equipped with specialized tools to assist in recovery efforts, while also pledging further support. Indian authorities have sent initial supplies, including tents, blankets, generators, and medical supplies, via military aircraft to Yangon, accompanied by rescue teams and medical professionals.

The tremors were felt far beyond the epicenter, with reports of shaking in China's Yunnan province, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and India. In Yunnan, authorities reported property damage and injuries, while the provinces of Guizhou and Guangxi also felt the quake.

In the aftermath, the Austrian ambassador reported minor injuries among Austrian nationals during evacuations. The embassy is in contact with approximately 6,000 Austrians currently in Thailand, with over 1,000 in affected regions. There are no reports of Austrians impacted in Myanmar's hardest-hit areas.

The devastation has left many in shock, as both nations begin to assess the full impact of this catastrophic event.