A powerful earthquake struck Myanmar and parts of Thailand on Friday, leaving widespread destruction and a mounting death toll. Officials have reported at least 144 deaths in Myanmar and six fatalities in Thailand, with hundreds more feared trapped or missing as rescue operations intensify.

Widespread Damage and Rising Casualties

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake, with its epicenter near Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay, triggered powerful aftershocks, including a 6.4-magnitude tremor. The force of the quake caused buildings to collapse, roads to crack, and bridges to fall, hampering rescue efforts in both nations.

Myanmar’s military government leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, confirmed the toll was expected to rise, with over 730 reported injuries. Cities such as Naypyidaw and Yangon witnessed severe structural damage, while a monastery in Mandalay crumbled under the force of the tremor. Reports also suggest a dam burst in the area, leading to rising water levels in low-lying regions.

Thailand was also impacted, particularly in Bangkok, where a 33-story high-rise under construction collapsed, killing at least six people and injuring 22 others. Bangkok authorities revised earlier casualty figures, stating that some individuals initially believed to be dead had survived. Search and rescue teams continue to comb through the wreckage in hopes of finding survivors.

International Aid and Relief Efforts

Myanmar’s government has appealed for international assistance as the need for medical aid and supplies grows. China responded promptly by sending a team of experts equipped with earthquake detectors and drones, while Russia dispatched two aircraft with 120 rescue personnel. India also provided search and rescue teams along with medical supplies, hygiene kits, food, and shelter equipment.

The United Nations allocated $5 million for immediate relief efforts, but concerns remain about the effectiveness of international assistance due to Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict. Many regions devastated by the quake are already struggling with displacement and humanitarian crises caused by the ongoing military conflict.

Challenges in Rescue Operations

Infrastructure damage has significantly hindered rescue teams, with key highways blocked and some remote areas entirely cut off. Emergency responders are working tirelessly to clear debris and provide aid to survivors. Affected residents in Yangon and Naypyidaw described scenes of panic, with families rushing out of their homes as tremors shook the cities.

In Thailand, the destruction of the high-rise in Bangkok sent a cloud of dust over the area, leading to panic as onlookers watched the structure collapse. Rescue teams have been pulling victims from the rubble, and officials fear more could be trapped beneath the debris.

Regional Impact and Future Concerns

The earthquake’s impact extended beyond Myanmar and Thailand, with tremors felt in China’s Yunnan and Sichuan provinces. In Ruili, a Chinese border city, reports of injuries and infrastructure damage emerged. Witnesses described the ground shaking so violently that standing became impossible.

As search efforts continue, authorities brace for a potential rise in the death toll. The full scale of destruction remains unknown, and recovery is expected to take weeks, if not months. The disaster adds further strain to Myanmar’s already fragile state, exacerbating the struggles of millions already displaced by war and conflict.

With international assistance pouring in, emergency teams are racing against time to rescue those still trapped and provide aid to those who have lost their homes and loved ones in one of the region’s deadliest earthquakes in recent years.