Poland’s embassy in Bangkok was evacuated after the building sustained damage from a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday killing at least 140 people, as well as Thailand, India and China.
According to Poland’s foreign ministry, there is no information yet on whether any Polish citizens were injured in the quake, which hit at 12:50 p.m. local time, bringing down a skyscraper under construction in the Thai capital.
A Thai official said that at least nine people had died in the capital, Bangkok. Rescuers were searching through the rubble of the tower block that collapsed in the quake.
The earthquake’s epicenter was in Myanmar, but strong tremors were felt across the region. In Bangkok, office buildings and shops were evacuated, and metro services were suspended as a precaution.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the epicenter was about 17.2 km from the city of Mandalay in Myanmar, which has a population of about 1.5 million. The first quake was followed by a powerful aftershock.
Mandalay is Myanmar’s ancient royal capital and the center of its Buddhist heartland. Buildings, bridges and roads were damaged, residents and local media said.
State-run MRTV said at least 144 people had been killed in Myanmar and 732 injured.
One witness in the city told Reuters: “We all ran out of the house as everything started shaking. I witnessed a five-story building collapse in front of my eyes. Everyone in my town is out on the road and no one dares to go back inside buildings.”
Myanmar's military junta is locked in a struggle to put down insurgents fighting its rule, a situation that is likely to complicate the rescue and relief operation.
Since overthrowing the elected civilian government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, the military has struggled to run the country, leaving the economy and essential services like healthcare in tatters.
A Thai official said that at least nine people had died in the capital, Bangkok. Rescuers were searching through the rubble of the tower block that collapsed in the quake.
The earthquake’s epicenter was in Myanmar, but strong tremors were felt across the region. In Bangkok, office buildings and shops were evacuated, and metro services were suspended as a precaution.
Witnesses in the Thai capital said people ran out onto the streets in panic, some of them hotel guests in bathrobes and swimming costumes, as water cascaded down from an elevated pool at a luxury hotel.7.7 magnitude earthquake hits Southeast Asia, mainly impacting Myanmar and Thailand.
— Pop Base (@PopBase) March 28, 2025
pic.twitter.com/hIEgS2w712
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the epicenter was about 17.2 km from the city of Mandalay in Myanmar, which has a population of about 1.5 million. The first quake was followed by a powerful aftershock.
Mandalay is Myanmar’s ancient royal capital and the center of its Buddhist heartland. Buildings, bridges and roads were damaged, residents and local media said.
State-run MRTV said at least 144 people had been killed in Myanmar and 732 injured.
One witness in the city told Reuters: “We all ran out of the house as everything started shaking. I witnessed a five-story building collapse in front of my eyes. Everyone in my town is out on the road and no one dares to go back inside buildings.”
Amnesty International said the earthquake could not have come at a worse time for Myanmar, given the number of displaced people, the existing need for relief aid, and cuts to U.S. aid by President Donald Trump's administration.The moment 7.7 Earthquake struck Mandalay, Myanmar
— Disasters Daily (@DisastersAndI) March 28, 2025
Many buildings collapsing while people are scared on the street.#sismo #temblor #terremoto #Mandalay #tremor pic.twitter.com/vkk1MA7en0
Myanmar's military junta is locked in a struggle to put down insurgents fighting its rule, a situation that is likely to complicate the rescue and relief operation.
Since overthrowing the elected civilian government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, the military has struggled to run the country, leaving the economy and essential services like healthcare in tatters.
More In Society MORE...
