Myanmar Earthquake Claims Over 1,700 Lives Lost, Thousands Missing
A highly destructive 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025, and it took more than 1,700 lives, causing destruction in its trail. The earthquake, which lasted for around 80 seconds, struck its epicenter in Mandalay, the second-largest city in the country. The earthquake is being termed as one of the deadliest earthquakes to have struck the region in nearly a century.
The disaster has already taken the lives of more than 3,400 missing people and left thousands injured. The earthquake also devastated neighboring countries such as Thailand with additional casualties and building damages. The shallow nature of the earthquake at a 10-kilometer depth further increased its impact, toppling buildings, bridges, and essential infrastructure.
Widespread Destruction
Complete cities near the center of the explosion have been ravaged, losing up to 80% of their structures. Mandalay was hit hardest in the region along with it, with hospitals that are located around the region overburdened with the amounts of injured persons. Telecommunication and transport lines have also not escaped, leaving rescue and aid efforts that much harder.
#WATCH: Videos show how a heart diseased 75-year-old grandmother and her 16- and 13-year-old grandchildren stayed strong for over 15 hours in the rubble of a #Mandalay condo that had collapsed during the #MyanmarEarthquake. The children’s father told me he wanted to spread the… pic.twitter.com/DgnkTbqSBL
— Cape Diamond (@cape_diamond) March 30, 2025
The quake struck on Friday during the prayer hour, levelling many mosques and religious sites. At least 700 individuals who were present at places of worship for prayer services were killed in the accidents, as has been reported. The magnitude of the destruction is unknown due to the inaccessibility of hard-to-reach areas and persistent aftershocks.
Rescue Efforts and Challenges
Myanmar’s ruling military declared a state of emergency in six states and sent in rescue troops to search for survivors. But a lack of heavy machinery and scorching heat, with temperatures above 40°C (104°F), have slowed things. Emergency responders and volunteers have gone old-school to attempt to dig out victims with shovels in a desperate bid to find survivors.
Hopes are dwindling for finding more people alive after Myanmar’s devastating earthquake. Survivors, many with all they have taken away, now face a struggle to salvage and rebuild all they can in a war zone. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar #MyanmarEarthquake pic.twitter.com/F0Cvg3UXCl
— Matthew Tostevin (@TostevinM) March 31, 2025
Aid is starting to arrive from everywhere around the world, as neighboring nations are sending relief materials and rescue teams. This is being done, but the scale of the disaster has exhausted the resources at hand, and most of the area that was hit is still in need of appropriate relief.
Global Response
The international community has demonstrated solidarity with Myanmar, with countries like China, Thailand, and the United States placing their humanitarian aid at its disposal. Rescue efforts using sufficient machinery continue day and night to attempt the recovery of survivors trapped under debris. Once again, the country’s civil strife has introduced another layer of sophistication to relief efforts.
A Nation in Mourning
While Myanmar struggles with this tragedy, saving lives and aiding affected populations comes first. The earthquake not only took a sheer number of lives but also highlighted the issue of disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience in the nation.
