Myanmar, Thailand Earthquake: India Stands Ready to Offer All Possible Assistance, Says PM Modi

Myanmar, Thailand Earthquake: Expressing concern over Myanmar and Thailand Earthquake , Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he has asked Indian authorities to be on standby. “Concerned by the situation in the wake of the Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Praying for the safety and wellbeing of everyone. India stands ready to offer all possible assistance. In this regard, asked our authorities to be on standby. Also asked the MEA to remain in touch with the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand”, tweeted PM Modi. 

A massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand around midday on Friday, shaking buildings, triggering evacuations, and causing significant structural damage. The extent of casualties remains unknown, according to local police.

Dramatic footage circulating on social media captured the terrifying moment a multi-story building, with a crane on top, collapsed into a cloud of dust as onlookers screamed and fled. The quake was followed by a powerful 6.4-magnitude aftershock, prompting authorities in Bangkok to urge residents to remain outside in case of further tremors.

Panic in Bangkok as Buildings Tremble

The quake sent shockwaves through Bangkok, where alarms blared in high-rise buildings, forcing residents and office workers to rush down staircases in a state of alarm. Many sought refuge in open spaces like Benjasiri Park, away from towering structures.

“All of a sudden, the whole building started moving. There was screaming, panic, people running in all directions,” said Fraser Morton, a Scottish tourist who was shopping in one of Bangkok’s malls when the tremor struck. “I just started walking calmly, but then the building shook even more—people were running the wrong way down escalators, and there was a lot of crashing inside the mall.”

The Thai Department of Disaster Prevention confirmed that tremors were felt across almost all regions of the country. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra convened an emergency meeting to assess the impact of the quake.

Destruction in Myanmar: Collapsed Bridge, Damaged Landmarks

In Myanmar, the earthquake wreaked havoc in several regions, including Mandalay, the country's second-largest city. Part of the historic royal palace sustained damage, and photos circulating on social media showed buildings with large cracks and crumbling facades.

In Sagaing, just southwest of Mandalay, a 90-year-old bridge collapsed, while sections of the Mandalay-Yangon highway suffered extensive damage. Residents in Yangon ran from their homes in fear as the tremors hit, though there were no immediate reports of casualties.

The capital, Naypyitaw, also saw damage, with religious shrines toppling over and homes suffering structural harm.

Quake’s Intensity and Epicenter

According to preliminary data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Germany’s GFZ Center for Geosciences, the earthquake originated at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), with its epicenter located in Myanmar.

While Myanmar lies in a seismically active zone, many affected areas are sparsely populated, and most homes are low-rise structures, which could mitigate widespread devastation.

Unnerving Experience for Residents and Tourists

For those in high-rise buildings, the experience was particularly unsettling. Hungarian expatriate Zsuzsanna Vari-Kovacs, who had just finished dining at a restaurant when the quake struck, described the prolonged shaking.

“I’ve experienced earthquakes in Myanmar before, but those were just a single jolt. This one lasted for at least a minute,” she said. “My husband was in a high-rise, which I think is even worse.”

Videos from Bangkok showed water from rooftop pools spilling over as the tremors rocked the city. Debris tumbled from buildings, and roads were littered with dust and rubble.

Ongoing Assessment and Response

Authorities in both Myanmar and Thailand are assessing the full extent of the damage. While immediate casualties remain unconfirmed, emergency teams are on high alert, and aftershocks remain a concern.