A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday morning, with damage reverberating to neighbouring countries. While authorities work quickly to contain immediate damage, attention is now turning to health and safety in the days ahead.
Residents in Bangkok and northern Thailand were briefly shaken awake on Thursday morning as tremors from a 7.7 magnitude earthquake were felt across the region.
The earthquake, with an epicentre near Mandalay – Myanmar’s second-largest city of 1.5 million – also caused aftershocks felt across Southeast Asia and as far as China. Authorities recorded over 10 aftershocks since the initial quake.
This quake is similar to the tremor that struck Turkey and Syria in 2023, and has been categorised as a “high impact” event by the US National Earthquake Information Center.
According to Myanmar’s military leadership, the death toll has climbed to at least 144, with more than 730 people injured.
7.7 magnitude earthquake hits Southeast Asia, mainly affecting Myanmar and Thailand.
— Yonny (@YonnyBravo_) March 28, 2025
Buildings as far away as Thailand collapsed as a result of the quake. In Thailand, three deaths have been confirmed, and rescue teams are working to free 81 people trapped beneath the debris of an under-construction high-rise building in Bangkok.
According to a Singaporean visiting Bangkok, the public were asked to evaluate the BTS train stations and to move to the park. Despite the uncommon occurrence and the large crowds, the public were largely calm.
“Bangkok always has traffic congestion, but it’s even worse now.” he remarked. “Everyone was relatively calm given how uncommon this was.”
The Growing Health and Humanitarian Toll
Beyond the immediate casualties, the earthquake’s aftermath is now shifting attention toward health and humanitarian concerns. Myanmar, one of Asia’s poorest countries, was already grappling with the aftermath of a military coup, ongoing conflict, and widespread displacement.
Furthermore, internet freedom has been heavily restricted since a military junta took power in a 2021 coup, and it is unclear how prepared the country is to respond to a major disaster on this scale.
Amnesty International has called on Myanmar’s military authorities to allow unrestricted access to humanitarian aid. Amnesty International expressed: “This earthquake could not come at a worse time,”
Over three million people remain displaced due to ongoing conflict since the 2021 military coup. The quake’s epicentre in central Myanmar is a region already affected by military air strikes and armed clashes. Large areas of Myanmar are run by militias, and access to reliable information is difficult. This is made evident by the large amount of information available from Thailand about the earthquake, despite the epicenter being in Myanmar.
In response to the disaster, the Myanmar Red Cross Society has deployed a response team to Mandalay and is providing first aid. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also expressed the country’s unwavering solidarity for Myanmar.
“We acknowledge the state of emergency declared by the authorities in Myanmar, and the designation of Bangkok as a disaster-stricken area by the Thai government.” he said
“Malaysia is ready to extend assistance and support humanitarian efforts as needed.”
Why Health Matters After A Quake
When an earthquake strikes, the public health impact often extends far beyond the initial damage. Injuries from falling debris or collapsed structures are just the beginning.
Minor structural damage to homes, clinics, or water facilities can disrupt daily life, particularly in more remote areas.
In regions where infrastructure is more fragile, cracks in water pipes or sanitation systems can raise the risk of infections. For example, limited access to clean water after a quake may increase the likelihood of gastrointestinal illnesses or skin infections. Power disruptions – common after earthquakes – can affect access to temperature-sensitive vaccines, electronic medical records, or important medical procedures.
❗️🇲🇲 – Myanmar is experiencing scenes straight out of a disaster movie.
A major hospital in the capital, Naypyidaw, has been designated a “mass casualty area” following a powerful earthquake that struck the country on March 28, 2025.
The 7.7 magnitude quake, centered near… pic.twitter.com/SD3sgcUlff
— 🔥🗞The Informant (@theinformant_x) March 28, 2025
In Mandalay, the city’s main public hospital has reportedly reached capacity and is no longer accepting new patients, turning away the many more people coming in with injuries.
When healthcare facilities reach capacity so quickly, it puts the wider community at risk as hospitals are unable to provide urgent care manage infections, childbirth, or chronic illness flare-ups. And when roads are blocked or damaged, transporting patients to other facilities becomes a challenge in itself.
These types of challenges aren’t unique to Thailand or Myanmar. Similar issues were seen in Nepal in 2023, where a moderate earthquake led to thousands sleeping in the open, exposed to the elements and at increased risk of illness, infection, and worsening health conditions.
In the Philippines, a 2022 earthquake in Luzon caused widespread impacts. Beyond the 11 fatalities, there was major damage to public infrastructure with a municipality experiencing water supply outage. Liquefaction at the lowlands leading to concerns over hygiene and mosquito-borne illnesses.
Staying safe and looking ahead
Local authorities are continuing to assess the situation. While damage in Thailand appears contained, with official announcements that people can safely return indoors, the health and humanitarian impact across the border in Myanmar is still unclear.
If you are in Thailand and need urgent help, call your country’s embassy or contact the following emergency hotlines provided by the local authorities:
- General Emergency: 191
- Tourist Police Hotline: 1155
- Fire and Rescue Department: 199
Stay informed through official channels like the Thai Meteorological Department or your embassy’s advisories.
This story is still developing, and may evolve in the days ahead as more information is made available.
