A powerful 7.7‑magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, 2025, at a shallow depth of about 10 km, centered near Sagaing and close to Mandalay. The tremors were widely felt across the region—in Thailand, parts of China, Vietnam, and further beyond. This quake is now considered among the most severe in Myanmar’s recent history.

The death toll is substantial and still evolving. Myanmar officially reported 1,644 fatalities, 3,408 injured, and 139 missing in the most affected central regions, including Mandalay and Sagaing. In Thailand, damage also occurred: in Bangkok, a 30‑story building under construction collapsed, causing about 96 deaths, and additional injuries and missing persons were reported. Critical infrastructure—roads, bridges (including the historic Ava Bridge), university buildings, mosques, public facilities—was heavily damaged.

Rescue and relief efforts have faced major obstacles. Communication blackouts, power outages, and impassable roads severely hamper emergency access to remote and hard-hit areas. Hospitals are overwhelmed. The International Federation of Red Cross has issued an appeal for 100 million Swiss francs to aid 100,000 people over two years. Several countries and humanitarian agencies are mobilizing support, though Myanmar’s ongoing conflict complicates coordination and access.