The death toll from a powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand has risen to over 1,000, as rescue teams race against time to locate survivors beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings.

Myanmar’s military government confirmed on Saturday that at least 1,002 people have lost their lives and nearly 2,376 others have been injured, primarily in the Mandalay region—the country’s second-largest city and near the earthquake’s epicenter.

“It was a tough night for many. People chose to sleep outdoors, in parks and outside their homes,” reported Al Jazeera’s Tony Cheng from Myanmar’s capital, Naypyidaw. “Aftershocks continued, making it unsafe for people to return to buildings.”

Meanwhile, in Bangkok, Thailand—approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from the quake’s epicenter—officials have confirmed at least 10 deaths, with fears of more casualties as search and rescue operations intensify.

Massive Infrastructure Damage and Rising Casualties

The earthquake, measuring 7.7 in magnitude, struck central Myanmar’s Sagaing region early Friday afternoon, followed by a powerful 6.7-magnitude aftershock just minutes later. The tremors caused widespread destruction, collapsing bridges, damaging roads, and leveling buildings across the region.

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Buddhist monks walk past a collapsed building in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, after a powerful earthquake, March 29, 2025. [Aung Shine Oo/AP Photo]

Rescue efforts in Bangkok have been focused on a 30-story skyscraper under construction that crumbled to the ground in seconds due to the tremors. Authorities fear that up to 100 workers remain trapped beneath the debris.

“Our priority is acting as quickly as possible to save lives,” said Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, adding that more than 100 engineers have been deployed to inspect structural safety across the city. More than 2,000 reports of damaged buildings have been received.

Fears of More Aftershocks

Al Jazeera’s Imran Khan, reporting from the Bangkok disaster site, noted that while the Thai capital is not accustomed to earthquakes, more than 70 aftershocks have been recorded in the past 24 hours.

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Rescue personnel work at the site of a building that collapsed in Bangkok/Reuters

“Each new tremor fuels public anxiety,” Khan said. “People are incredibly nervous that another major quake might strike.”

As rescue operations continue, authorities in both countries warn that the death toll could climb further in the coming days, particularly as communication remains limited in remote areas of Myanmar.

 

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