The 7.7-magnitude earthquake centered near Mandalay has inflicted widespread damage across Myanmar, including the collapse of the Naypyitaw airport’s control tower and the closure of Mandalay’s airport. With a state of emergency declared, the disaster adds another layer of crisis to a nation already embroiled in civil conflict.
BY PC Bureau
The main airport in Myanmar’s capital, Naypyitaw, has been forced to close after a powerful earthquake on Friday caused its air traffic control tower to collapse. The disaster has claimed the lives of at least six people at the airport.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake, which struck near Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay, around noon on Friday, also led to the closure of the airport in Mandalay. Reports indicate significant damage to aviation equipment at that location as well.
In Naypyitaw, a source speaking to Myanmar Now revealed the identities of those killed in the air traffic control tower collapse: an air traffic controller, three female assistants, the two-year-old son of one of the assistants, and a military intelligence officer.
Meanwhile, the United States and Russia have offered assistance, with Moscow reportedly dispatching 120 rescuers and doctors, according to the TASS news agency. Malaysia has pledged to send 50 personnel on Sunday to assist in the worst-affected areas, while a Chinese rescue team arrived on Saturday, as reported by Xinhua news.
The epicenter of the powerful tremor was located near Mandalay. However, significant damage has also been reported in Shan state, Sagaing, Bago, Magway, and Naypyitaw. In response to the widespread destruction, the ruling junta has declared a state of emergency in the affected regions.
ALSO READ: China’s Language Tactics: How ‘Xizang’ Reframes Tibet’s History
The impact of the earthquake has been particularly severe in Pyinmana, a town situated just east of the capital. Residents informed RFA Burmese that 40 bodies have been recovered from collapsed buildings in the town, and over 130 injured individuals have been transported to nearby hospitals.
A rescue worker on th
#OperationBrahma gets underway.
First tranche of humanitarian aid from India has reached the Yangon Airport in Myanmar.
🇮🇳 🇲🇲 pic.twitter.com/OmiJLnYTwS
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 29, 2025
e ground in Pyinmana painted a grim picture of the situation. “The entire area is destroyed, and we are working tirelessly on rescue operations. We just sent one body to the morgue and are now continuing the search,” the worker stated. “Unfortunately, we can’t assist in other areas. Even in Pyinmana, our efforts are hindered, and we’re unable to go further.”
This natural disaster compounds the existing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, which has been gripped by a civil war since the military coup in 2021. The ongoing conflict has already displaced more than 3 million people from their homes.
“This earthquake could not come at a worse time for Myanmar,” said Amnesty International’s Myanmar Researcher Joe Freeman. “Over a third of the population will need humanitarian assistance this year.”
ALSO READ: Opinion: No, Home Minister, the Situation Is Not Even Close to Normal in Manipur
Freeman also highlighted the challenges in assessing the full extent of the damage and casualties due to the military’s restrictions on media outlets and internet access in the country. “In a country where the military has banned many media outlets and internet access is restricted, we may not have a clear picture of the extent of damage and loss for some time,” he warned.
Magnitude 7.7 quake in Myanmar causes water to surface from the ground
pic.twitter.com/NAZbzkpNec— Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) March 29, 2025
Thailand Building Collapse Under Investigation
Meanwhile, in Bangkok, Thailand, approximately 1000 kilometers (620 miles) from the earthquake’s epicenter, rescue efforts continued on Saturday at the site of a collapsed 33-storey government building. The collapse, which occurred on Friday, has so far resulted in the confirmed deaths of nine people, with 79 still missing, according to rescue crews.
Backhoes were seen sifting through the large pile of debris near the Chatuchak market as police worked to keep reporters and bystanders away from the site.
“We Thais are working our hardest to try to rescue them. Today, we are waiting for good news,” said Suchatvee Suwansawat, an engineer involved in the rescue operation. “We will see how many survivors we can find, but it is very hard. This is something we have never faced before.”
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered a full investigation into the building’s collapse, with the findings expected next week. The government assured that essential services, businesses, and tourist providers were operating normally, with most rail lines in the capital and airports across Thailand resuming regular operations after safety checks.
Thailand’s meteorological department reported 77 aftershocks as of Saturday morning, although no significant damage was reported in the country.
Earthquake Felt Regionally
The powerful earthquake in Myanmar was also felt in neighboring countries, including China’s Yunnan and Sichuan provinces. Chinese media reported damage and injuries in the city of Ruili, located on the border with Myanmar. Residents in Mangshi, a Chinese city about 100 kilometers (60 miles) northeast of Ruili, reported feeling the shaking so intensely that they were unable to stand.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation in Myanmar as rescue and aid efforts get underway, facing significant logistical challenges in the wake of the devastating earthquake.
