A powerful earthquake has devastated a major hospital in Myanmar’s capital, transforming it into a “mass casualty area.” Tragically, at least three individuals lost their lives, and dozens more found themselves trapped when a skyscraper collapsed in neighboring Thailand.
The tremor, measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, struck northwest of the city of Sagaing, in central Myanmar. Just minutes later, a 6.4-magnitude aftershock followed, resulting in the collapse of buildings, ruptured roads, and the destruction of the iconic Ava bridge. As one local official put it, “The ground shook with a ferocity I have never felt before.”
In response to this unprecedented situation, Myanmar’s isolated military junta has issued a rare call for international aid, declaring a state of emergency across the six regions most affected. “We urge the international community to provide humanitarian assistance as quickly as possible,” stated junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun during a visit to the hospital.
In the capital Naypyidaw, hundreds of injured individuals were transported to a hospital, but due to structural damage, many received treatment outside. An official at the hospital noted, “This is a mass casualty area,” urging journalists away from the scene.
Amid this chaos, one medical professional expressed the overwhelming nature of the situation, saying, “I haven’t encountered anything like this before. We are doing our best to manage it, but I am utterly exhausted.”
In neighboring Thailand, a 30-story building under construction collapsed in Bangkok, claiming at least three workers’ lives and leaving 81 others trapped inside. “I heard cries for help, with voices pleading, ‘help me,'” said Worapat Sukthai, the deputy police chief of Bang Sue district, as rescuers sifted through the rubble in search of survivors.
Though earthquakes are relatively common in Myanmar, where six significant quakes of 7.0 magnitude or more were recorded between 1930 and 1956 along the Sagaing Fault, the scale of this disaster raises profound concerns. A powerful 6.8-magnitude quake in Bagan in 2016 had previously highlighted the country’s vulnerability, resulting in fatalities and damage to ancient temples.
As the tremor was felt across the region, residents in cities like Bangkok and the popular tourist destination Chiang Mai reacted with urgency and trepidation. “I quickly rushed out of the shop along with other customers,” shared Sai, a 76-year-old minimart worker in Chiang Mai, who experienced the quake firsthand. “This is the strongest tremor I’ve ever felt in my life.”
In Bangkok, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared a state of emergency. Public transport systems faced interruptions, worsening the already notorious traffic that plagues the city. Airports, however, continued their operations without disruption.
The tremors were reported across a wide area, including in China, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and India. A livestream by state-linked Beijing News captured emergency workers in Ruili, close to the Myanmar border, navigating through the rubble. Footage from eyewitnesses revealed scenes of panic as shoppers rushed for safety.
In the aftermath of this disaster, it’s clear that the impacts are extensive, raising alarms about both immediate and long-term recovery efforts. As we reflexively band together in the face of such significant challenges, we are reminded of the resilience and strength of communities during times of crisis.
“In tragedy, we often see the best in humanity,” a local leader remarked as aid efforts began to mobilize. “We’re stronger together.”
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
