Deadly 7.9-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Myanmar, Affecting Neighboring Countries
A devastating 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, with its epicenter located at a depth of 30 kilometers. The quake was felt strongly in various parts of Thailand and China's Yunnan province, and was the 17th earthquake with a magnitude of 6 or above to occur globally this year, making it the strongest earthquake to hit the region so far this year.
28 March 2025
According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the earthquake occurred at 14:20 local time, with its epicenter situated at 21.85 degrees north latitude and 95.95 degrees east longitude. The quake's impact was widespread, with Thailand's capital city, Bangkok, experiencing strong tremors that lasted for several minutes. Panic-stricken residents rushed out of high-rise buildings and into the streets, as the city's BTS skytrain service was suspended due to the intense shaking. A hotel's rooftop swimming pool in Bangkok was seen overflowing, with water gushing down to the streets below.
In Bangkok, a under-construction high-rise building in the Chatuchak district collapsed, resulting in at least one death and 43 people missing. The Thai government has declared a state of emergency in the city, with rescue efforts underway to search for those trapped under the rubble. The Thai stock exchange suspended trading for the day, and the country's central bank is monitoring the situation closely.
The earthquake was also felt in neighboring countries, including Vietnam, where office buildings were evacuated in Ho Chi Minh City and hundreds of people rushed out of high-rise buildings in Hanoi. In China's Yunnan province, which borders Myanmar, the earthquake's impact was felt, with reports of damage and injuries in the city of Ruili. The Chinese authorities have dispatched rescue teams to the affected areas, with efforts underway to assess the extent of the damage and provide aid to those in need.
The earthquake has caused significant damage and disruption in the region, with reports of collapsed buildings, injured people, and power outages. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community is closely monitoring the situation and offering assistance to those in need. The earthquake serves as a reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness and the need for effective emergency response mechanisms to mitigate the impact of such natural disasters. The full extent of the earthquake's impact is only beginning to become clear, with rescue efforts and damage assessments ongoing.
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