earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, resulting in catastrophic consequences for both Myanmar and Thailand. The quake caused over 1,600 fatalities and left thousands injured, with many individuals reported missing . Rescue operations have commenced, focusing on recovering bodies from the debris and locating survivors trapped in collapsed structures. Notably, an apartment block in Mandalay is believed to house over 90 individuals who may still be entombed within its ruins .
State-run television MRTV reported that 694 people have now been found dead and another 1,670 injured, with 68 others missing, according to a statement from the military-led government. The same figures were also reported by the independent news site The Irrawaddy. 
Myanmar is in the throes of a prolonged and bloody civil war, which is already responsible for a massive humanitarian crisis. It makes movement around the country both difficult and dangerous, complicating relief efforts and raising fears that the death toll could still rise precipitously.
Over 1,300 kilometers (808 mi) away in Bangkok, Thailand, the same powerful earthquake caused a high-rise building to collapse. There are 18 confirmed dead, 33 injured, and over 75 who remain missing in Thailand.
Donald Trump said Friday that the U.S. was going to help with the response, but some experts were concerned about this effort given his administration’s deep cuts in foreign assistance.
But amid images of buckled and cracked roads and reports of a collapsed bridge and a burst dam, there were concerns about how rescuers would even reach some areas in a country already enduring a humanitarian crisis.
“We fear it may be weeks before we understand the full extent of destruction caused by this earthquake,” said Mohammed Riyas, the International Rescue Committee’s Myanmar director.
The earthquake's severity was exacerbated by its shallow depth of just 10 kilometers and its location along the Sagaing fault—a significant strike-slip fault. This geological setting allowed the quake's energy to propagate extensively across the region . In Bangkok—over 1,000 kilometers away—the soft soil contributed to heightened seismic waves that resulted in the collapse of an unfinished high-rise building . These geological factors underscore the vulnerability of urban areas situated near tectonic boundaries.
The aftermath of this earthquake has been marked by widespread destruction and panic among affected populations. With initial reports indicating at least 1,700 deaths (Rowlands & Adler, 2025), it is evident that both countries face immense challenges in managing rescue efforts and providing aid to those impacted. As aftershocks continue to hinder recovery operations and contribute to public anxiety , regional authorities must prioritize coordinated responses to mitigate further loss of life.
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