In brief
Residents recount their horror as the intense tremors disrupt lives and lead to severe destruction of property and infrastructure across both nations.
A major earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 has resigned many residents to despair as it wreaks havoc across Myanmar and Thailand. The quake, which occurred on Friday, led to the collapse of buildings and extensive infrastructure damage, leaving communities reeling in shock.In Myanmar's largest city, Yangon, one resident described the terrifying experience of being abruptly awakened from a nap to find his building shaking violently for what felt like an eternity. "It lasted around three to four minutes," he shared with the BBC World Service, noting that news of the disaster quickly spread as he received messages from concerned friends and family.The tremors traveled across Thailand, reaching as far as China, leading to calamity in nearby Bangkok, where a 30-story building under construction collapsed, trapping dozens under the wreckage. Eyewitnesses reported pandemonium, with residents fleeing into the streets as objects tumbled from shelves and water splashed from swimming pools above.In Bangladesh, a mother shared her panic-stricken response as she gathered her children and raced to safety when items fell around them, stating, "we can't stay here." Reports emerged of people crying for help as emergency responders worked furiously to reach those trapped beneath the debris.Amid the growing chaos and destruction, Myanmar's military junta, which has governed since a coup in 2021, declared a state of emergency across six regions and issued a rare plea for international aid. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing appealed for humanitarian assistance as the nation grappled with the aftermath of the quake. Visual reports from the second-largest city, Mandalay, depicted considerable destruction with images of crumbling historic structures and vital infrastructure. Access to timely information remains challenging in Myanmar, where internet connectivity is unreliable, deeply complicating connectedness with aid agencies.The United States Geological Survey raised concerns regarding the high likelihood of casualties, advising the international community to prepare for extensive damage and potentially significant loss of life. As efforts to excavate the rubble continue, uncertainty looms over the full extent of the devastation.
