Naypyidaw (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Over two days after a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar, rescuers are urgently searching for survivors. The quake caused buildings to collapse as far away as Bangkok, Thailand, and created tremors in nearby Chinese provinces.
Authorities report that over 1,600 people have died following the largest earthquake to strike the war-torn country in over a century. Experts worry that the actual number of casualties may take weeks to fully reveal.
Extensive destruction has been reported following the earthquake, causing bridges and buildings to fall, including in Bangkok. There, authorities are working to rescue dozens thought to be trapped beneath the debris of a high-rise that is still being built.
The epicenter was located in Myanmar’s central Sagaing region, close to Mandalay, the former royal capital with a population of approximately 1.5 million and several historic temple complexes and palaces.
The earthquake on Friday marked the deadliest natural disaster to strike Myanmar in years, as the country grapples with a civil war that has ravaged communication systems, undermined health infrastructure, and left millions lacking sufficient food and shelter since 2021.
How many people died in the Myanmar earthquake?
According to Myanmar’s military on state television, over 1,600 individuals have lost their lives, and about 3,400 others are injured. Nearly 140 remain unaccounted for, and authorities anticipate this number will increase. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has projected that the final death toll could exceed 10,000 based on initial modeling.
Where was the epicenter of the earthquake?
In Bangkok, located hundreds of miles from the epicenter, at least 17 people lost their lives. Of these, 10 fatalities occurred due to the rapid collapse of an under-construction building, which trapped dozens beneath the debris. Additionally, seven people were reported dead in other areas of the capital, according to authorities.
Rescue operations continue in Bangkok for over 80 missing individuals, while families wait for updates at the scene of the collapsed high-rise. On Sunday, the city’s governor reported about 9,500 damage reports related to buildings across Bangkok. Aside from the fallen tower, limited reports or signs of severe damage have emerged.
The earthquake that hit Myanmar was the strongest in over a century, registering a 7.9-magnitude tremor in Taunggyi, central Myanmar, back in 1912. Aftershocks have persisted over the weekend, with the largest recorded as a 6.7-magnitude tremor on Friday, as reported by the USGS.
What caused this earthquake’s destruction?
Myanmar lies along a seismic zone, yet most earthquakes typically occur in remote regions, rather than in cities like the ones impacted on Friday.
The USGS and Germany’s GFZ center for geosciences reported that the earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). Shallower earthquakes often result in greater damage. According to a geologist, the energy released was comparable to that of 334 atomic bombs, and they cautioned that aftershocks might be felt for several months.
Researchers indicate that the earthquake happened along the Sagaing fault, extending north-south through Myanmar. This fault is characterized as a “strike-slip” fault, meaning two tectonic plates primarily shift horizontally. Brian Baptie, a seismologist at the British Geological Survey, noted that the rupture caused the ground to shift five meters (16.4 feet) in approximately a minute in certain locations. He explained that since most buildings in the region consist of “timber or unreinforced brick masonry,” they are particularly susceptible to damage from earthquakes.
