A catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit central Myanmar on March 28, 2025, at about 12:50 pm local time, bringing extensive damage and loss of life. The epicentre was 16 kilometers north of Sagaing, near Mandalay, at a depth of 10 kilometres.

At least 674 individuals have been confirmed dead in Myanmar, with over 700 injured. The earthquake leveled most of the infrastructure, including buildings, bridges, and roads, particularly in Mandalay.The ancient Bagan temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site, were also damaged.

Across the border in Thailand, the quake's impact was also enormous. In Bangkok, a 30-story building that was under construction collapsed, killing at least eight and injuring over 70 others who were buried under the rubble. Tremors shook northern Thailand, putting people into a panic and forcing numerous buildings to be evacuated.

The earthquake was felt as distant as China's Yunnan province and various parts of India, such as Kolkata and Imphal. In Kolkata, there were evacuation efforts due to slight tremors, but there has been no reported damage or casualty.

In response to the catastrophe, Myanmar's military regime has issued a state of emergency and made an unusual call for foreign aid. The World Health Organization is mobilizing medical assistance, anticipating high rates of injury needing emergency care. Rescue efforts are ongoing, but they are being slowed down by the ongoing civil unrest and destruction of key infrastructure.

As the events progress, officials issue warnings of potential aftershocks and call on citizens to remain vigilant. The total number of deaths from the disaster is still being ascertained, with the hope that numbers will keep rising as rescuers and recovery specialists continue to work.