March 28, 2005
Mandalay, Myanmar – A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Thursday, March 28, 2025, causing widespread destruction and tremors felt across neighboring countries. The quake hit at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time, with its epicenter near Mandalay at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The earthquake caused significant structural damage in Mandalay, where buildings, bridges, and religious shrines suffered severe cracks and collapses. The historic Ava Bridge, a key transportation route over the Irrawaddy River, reportedly sustained major damage. In the capital city, Naypyidaw, roads buckled, and parts of ceilings collapsed inside government buildings.
Tremors were felt as far away as Bangkok, Thailand, nearly 1,000 kilometers from the epicenter. In Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, a high-rise building under construction collapsed, leading to evacuations and metro service disruptions. In China’s Yunnan province, near the Myanmar border, houses were damaged, and authorities reported multiple injuries in the city of Ruili.
A strong 6.4-magnitude aftershock followed the initial quake just 12 minutes later, further rattling the region. Authorities in Myanmar and neighboring countries are now assessing the full extent of the damage and conducting search and rescue operations.
As rescue efforts continue, officials warn that aftershocks could persist in the coming days. The earthquake is the strongest to hit Myanmar in years, and emergency response teams are mobilizing to provide aid to those affected.
More than 1,000 have now been reported dead from a devastating earthquake that struck near the country’s second-largest city, the military government said.