Myanmar earthquake kills 1,700 as rescue efforts intensify

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, leaving 1,700 dead and thousands injured as international aid arrives.

People take shelter in temporary tents set up outdoors in Mandalay on March 31, 2025, three days after the deadly earthquake in Myanmar. Photo by Sai Aung Main/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025, causing massive destruction and loss of life. According to Myanmar authorities, the death toll has reached 1,700, with 3,400 people injured and 300 still missing. The earthquake was also felt in neighboring countries, including Thailand, where 17 people were reported dead. As the scale of the disaster becomes clearer, rescue efforts are intensifying, and international aid is being sent to help those affected.

Myanmar earthquake: Epicenter and impact

The earthquake's epicenter was in Sagaing, a city near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers at 12:50 p.m. local time. A powerful aftershock measuring 6.4 hit the region just 12 minutes later, compounding the devastation.

Sagaing is a key region in central Myanmar, located approximately 260 kilometers from the capital, Naypyidaw. The tremors were felt across Myanmar and in neighboring countries, including Thailand, India, Bangladesh, Laos, and southwest China.

In Bangkok, Thailand's capital, located about 1,300 kilometers from Sagaing, the earthquake caused structural damage to high-rise buildings, some of which collapsed due to the strong tremors.

Why Myanmar is prone to major earthquakes

Myanmar is located in one of the world’s most seismically active regions, as it sits at the convergence of four tectonic plates: the Eurasian plate, the Indian plate, the Sunda plate, and the Myanmar microplate.

The Sagaing fault, a major geological feature running more than 1,200 kilometers from north to south across Myanmar, has historically been responsible for significant seismic activity.

According to the USGS, the Myanmar earthquake on March 28 was caused by movement along the shear fault between the Indian and Eurasian plates. The preliminary data suggests that the quake was a "strike-slip" event, where two blocks of the Earth's crust move horizontally past each other. This type of movement aligns with the typical activity of the Sagaing fault.

Rising death toll and overwhelmed infrastructure

The impact of the Myanmar earthquake has been devastating. Authorities confirmed that 1,700 people have died, while 3,400 have been injured. The number of missing persons currently stands at 300, but officials fear the toll could rise as rescue teams access remote areas.

In Mandalay, where more than one million people live, crematoriums are struggling to keep up with the rising death toll. Local reports indicate that major cemeteries, such as Kyanikan, Taung-Inn, and Myauk-Inn, are overwhelmed. Families have been forced to wait in long queues to cremate their loved ones, with around 500 bodies reportedly cremated on March 29 alone.

International aid and rescue operations

As Myanmar struggles to cope with the disaster, neighboring countries and international organizations are stepping in to provide assistance. The Indonesian government announced it would send humanitarian aid, including search-and-rescue (SAR) teams, emergency medical personnel, and logistical support worth $1 million.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that two members of its ASEAN Emergency Response and Assessment Team (ASEAN-ERAT) and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) arrived in Myanmar on March 30. A further 10 personnel were dispatched with medical and relief supplies the following day.

The regional response has included:

Deployment of the ASEAN-ERAT team
Mobilization of relief supplies through the ASEAN Disaster Emergency Logistics System (DELSA)
Contributions from Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams from several ASEAN member states

Other countries, including Malaysia, China, Russia, and Singapore, have also pledged aid to Myanmar. ASEAN foreign ministers have urged for humanitarian assistance to be delivered swiftly and without discrimination, ensuring all affected communities receive the help they need.

Challenges ahead for Myanmar

With entire towns devastated, thousands injured, and hundreds still missing, the Myanmar earthquake has left a deep humanitarian crisis in its wake. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but rebuilding efforts will likely take months, if not years.

Rescue teams are racing against time to locate survivors trapped under rubble, while medical teams are struggling to provide care for the injured. With major infrastructure severely damaged, Myanmar faces enormous challenges in restoring normalcy.

As international aid begins to flow in, Myanmar’s government and relief organizations continue to work tirelessly to help affected communities. However, with aftershocks still a threat and thousands in need of urgent assistance, the road to recovery will be long and difficult.