Earthquake in Myanmar: 144 Dead, 732 Injured, and an Appeal for International Aid

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, March 28, causing significant destruction and a heavy human toll. The tremors were felt as far as China, Thailand, and Vietnam. In response to the scale of the disaster, the military junta declared a state of emergency in six regions and made a rare appeal for international assistance.

A Devastating Earthquake
The epicenter of the quake was located 16 kilometers northwest of Sagaing, hitting the region in the middle of the day. In Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city, buildings collapsed, including part of the 19th-century royal palace. At the airport, panicked passengers fled after false ceilings caved in and cracks appeared on the tarmac.

In Thailand, a 30-story building under construction collapsed in Bangkok, trapping at least 43 workers under the rubble. In Myanmar, hospitals are overwhelmed with injured victims. “We have never seen anything like this before,” said a doctor.

A Rising Death Toll
According to junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, the earthquake has killed at least 144 people and injured 732 others. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams struggle to reach the hardest-hit areas.

International Mobilization
The WHO has activated its emergency management system and is mobilizing medical supplies from its logistics center in Dubai. Several countries, including France, have expressed their solidarity and offered assistance. “We are ready to intervene as soon as needed,” stated the French Foreign Minister.

Pope Francis said he was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy and sent his prayers to the victims. Meanwhile, the local population is struggling to cope with aftershocks and the massive destruction caused by this unusually intense earthquake.