A powerful earthquake struck central Myanmar on ‌Friday, March 28, 2025, causing damage‌ in neighboring Thailand. The quake,which toppled buildings in Myanmar and ​damaged structures in ⁤Bangkok,has prompted emergency responses in both countries.

The ‍U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported ⁢the earthquake registered a magnitude of​ 7.7 and occurred ⁤at a shallow depth of 10⁢ kilometers (6.2⁣ miles). A strong aftershock followed the initial quake.

The​ epicenter⁣ was located approximately 17.2 kilometers‍ (10.7 miles) from ⁣Mandalay, Myanmar,⁢ a city of about 1.5 million people.

Myanmar’s ruling ​military has declared a state of emergency​ in several regions. Details on damage from Myanmar ⁤authorities are still emerging.

In bangkok, Thailand,⁢ some tall buildings ⁢sustained‍ damage, and the city⁣ has been​ declared​ a disaster area, according to Bangkok City Hall.

Casualty figures remain unclear.The Thai National Emergency Medicine Institute reported at ‌least three deaths in Bangkok, wiht dozens of workers rescued ⁢from⁢ collapsed ⁢buildings.

Eyewitnesses reported at ​least three people died after ‌a ‌mosque partially collapsed in Myanmar.

Bangkok Malls Temporarily Close

Siam Piwat Group temporarily closed ⁢three major malls in Bangkok – Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and ⁤Siam ‌Discovery – ‍evacuating all staff and customers. The company said inspections would be conducted to assess the safety of the structures.

Amnesty International Calls for Humanitarian Access

joe Freeman, a Myanmar researcher at Amnesty International, described the ⁢earthquake as potentially devastating for Myanmar, More ⁣than 3 million people are still evacuating domestically⁣ due to armed conflicts that have been raging since the 2021 military coup.​ More than ⁤one third of the population ⁤will need humanitarian assistance this year. ‌Simultaneously ‌occurring, the​ impact of the cutting of US assistance on humanitarian services in the country was just starting.

Freeman added that limited media access could hinder a clear understanding of the extent of ‍damage and ​loss. middle Myanmar, which is believed to be an earthquake⁤ epicenter, has been damaged by military air strikes⁢ and clashes between resistance groups and ⁢military.The myanmar military ⁢has a long ⁤practice to reject ​assistance to ‌areas where the group opposes it actively.

UN ​Agency Reports Significant ‌damage

A‌ spokesman ⁣for the United Nations ⁣Humanitarian Affairs Office ​stated they are ​gathering data on the earthquake’s impact. ⁤ The initial report shows‌ significant damage in⁤ the central part of the ‍country, in the state of⁣ Mandalay, near the earthquake epicenter, as ‌well as Nay Pyi Taw, Bago, Magway, Sagaing, Shan, and maybe other regions, the spokesman said.

We gather information about people affected, infrastructure damage, and humanitarian needs that are urgent to ⁢guide responses and will share⁤ more updates when‍ information is ⁤available.

Thai Stock Exchange Halts Trading

The ​Stock​ Exchange of Thailand (SET) suspended trading for the afternoon session on ​Friday.

After the earthquake incident, the Thai stock exchange hereby⁣ announced the‌ temporary termination of ‌all trading activities, the exchange operator⁤ said on its website.

The closure affected all markets, including SET, ⁢the‍ Alternative Investment Market (MAI), and the Thailand​ Futures Exchange ‍(TFEX). The SET index was trading 1.05%‍ lower ⁢at 1,175.45 ⁤points.