AsiaMore than 1,000 confirmed dead after earthquake in Myanmar
SDA
29.3.2025 - 10:57
A damaged building in Naypyitaw in Myanmar. Photo: Aung Shine Oo/AP/dpa
Keystone
The number of officially confirmed fatalities following the earthquake in Myanmar has risen to more than 1,000. The military leadership of the Southeast Asian country also announced on state television that the number of injured was more than 2,370.
Keystone-SDA
29.03.2025, 10:57
SDA
On Friday, the earth shook violently in South-East Asia, causing severe destruction. The German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) in Potsdam and the US Earthquake Observatory (USGS) now put the magnitude at 7.7. A few minutes later, both institutes also registered another strong earthquake a little to the south - GFZ and USGS reported a magnitude of 6.5 and 6.7 respectively. There were numerous other aftershocks.
The epicenter of the strongest quake was near Mandalay, the second largest city in Myanmar with 1.6 million inhabitants. The quake was also felt in Thailand, China and Vietnam.
The Red Cross in Myanmar spoke of devastating damage. There is great concern that dams on the Irrawaddy River could break. According to reports, a hospital collapsed in the state of Shan. A member of the rescue teams told the German Press Agency that the military often interrupts the internet connection in many places due to the ongoing conflicts there.
Worrying estimate
The situation in Myanmar thus remains even more confusing. Since a military coup in February 2021, the former Burma has already been mired in violence and chaos, with various rebel groups fighting against the army, sometimes successfully. Little information is leaking out of the country. The military junta reports confirmed deaths. Officially, a further 30 people are missing. More detailed lists are still being compiled, it was said.
According to an estimate by the US Earthquake Monitoring Institute, the number of victims could be in the thousands. The institute fears that more than 10,000 people may have died in Myanmar and the other affected regions.
The European Commission announced on Friday evening that it was activating the Copernicus satellite service in order to better assess the consequences of the earthquake.
Help from one of the few allies
Injuries and damage to buildings were also reported from the Chinese province of Yunnan. The People's Republic, one of Myanmar's few allies, sent a small civil protection team with special equipment across the border to Myanmar, according to state media.
In addition, the Chinese foreign office promised further aid and the equivalent of around 12.7 million euros in support money. State and party leader Xi Jinping expressed his sympathy to military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing.
Fears continue in Thailand
Three deaths have been officially confirmed in Thailand so far. According to media reports, however, up to ten bodies have now been recovered. In addition, 101 people are missing in the megacity of Bangkok alone.
Many people fear for the lives of buried workers in Bangkok. A high-rise building under construction there collapsed on Friday as a result of the quake. The authorities said they had found signs of life, as several media reported. However, the depth at which the rescue teams suspect the people to be located made rescue work and the possibility of providing water and food to the 15 or so people discovered difficult. People were waiting outside the disaster site for news of their relatives.
Further aftershocks
There is a risk of further earth tremors. The Thai Meteorological Agency recorded further tremors one day after the severe quake. However, most of the 77 earth tremors measured, which mainly occurred in the area bordering Myanmar to the north, were significantly weaker and sometimes barely felt, according to reports.
Meanwhile, everyday life returned to the Thai capital. Some subway lines resumed operation in local public transport. Others were still being checked for damage. The government also wants to have buildings checked for damage on a large scale.