7.7-magnitude earthquake kills over 150 in Myanmar, Thailand

Vietnam sends condolences to Thailand, Myanmar

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that President Luong Cuong sent a message of condolences to Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent a message of condolences to Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man sent a message of condolences to Speaker of the Thai House of Representatives Wan Muhamad Noor Matha.

On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son sent a message of condolences to Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and Myanmar Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Swe.

A building is left in ruins in Mandalay after a 7.77-magnitude earthquake hit central Myanmar on March 28, 2025. Photo by AFP

While the full extent of the catastrophe is yet to emerge, the leader of isolated Myanmar, in the grip of a civil war, issued a rare plea for international aid.

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said 144 people had been killed, with 732 confirmed injured, but warned the toll was "likely to rise".

"In some places, some buildings collapsed," he said in a televised speech, after visiting a hospital in the capital Naypyidaw.

"I would like to invite any country, any organization, or anyone in Myanmar to come and help. Thank you."

He urged massive relief efforts in the wake of the disaster and said he had "opened all ways for foreign aid".

Rescue workers take an injured man who was trapped under a building in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 28, 2025. Photo by AP

At least nine people have died in Bangkok as a result of Friday's earthquake, an official told Reuters, with the death toll steadily rising in Thailand as well as in neighbouring Myanmar, where the quake was centered.

Of the confirmed casualties in the Thai capital, eight died when a building under construction collapsed, while the ninth person died in a different location, said Bangkok's Deputy Governor Tavida Kamolvej.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday the 27-nation bloc stood ready to help after a strong, deadly earthquake hit Myanmar and Thailand.

"Heartbreaking scenes from Myanmar and Thailand after the devastating earthquake. My thoughts are with the victims and their families," von der Leyen wrote on X. "Europe's Copernicus satellites are already helping first responders. We are ready to provide more support."

France said on Friday it stood ready to provide support after a powerful earthquake hit Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand, adding that its diplomatic premises in the Thai capital had been evacuated.

"We are ready to provide support as soon as the need has been expressed and we have evacuated our premises in Bangkok to guard against any form of risk," said Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who was in Shanghai on Friday, referring to the French embassy, schools, and other buildings.

Volunteers look for survivors near damaged building in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 28, 2025. Photo by AP

"About 20 people" were confirmed dead at a hospital in Naypyidaw, a doctor told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Medical equipment is sent to a hospital in Naypyidaw, Myanmar. Photo by AFP

Across the border in Thailand, three people were confirmed dead in the collapse of a skyscraper, with 81 more missing and believed trapped in the twisted metal and rubble of the under-construction building.

At least three people were killed and dozens trapped in neighbouring Thailand when a skyscraper collapsed.

Hundreds of casualties were taken to a hospital in the capital Naypyidaw, with the wounded being treated outside because of damage to the building. The emergency department's entrance had collapsed on top of a car.

A hospital official ushered journalists away, saying: "this is a mass casualty area."

"I haven't seen (something) like this before. We are trying to handle the situation. I'm so exhausted now," a doctor said.

At least three people have died after a mosque in Myanmar partially collapsed when a strong earthquake struck the Southeast Asian nation on Friday, two eyewitnesses said.

"We were saying prayers when the shaking started... Three died on the spot," said one of the people who spoke from the town of Taungnoo in Bago region.

Thailand's capital has been declared a disaster area following a strong earthquake in neighboring Myanmar, Bangkok city hall said on Friday.

The Bangkok governor has been placed in charge of coordinating the disaster response, it said.

Injured people are taken out of a building that collapsed in Bangkok, Thailand, following an earthquake on March 28, 2025. Photo by AFP

Myanmar's ruling junta made a rare request for international humanitarian aid and declared a state of emergency across six regions after a powerful quake hit the country on Friday.

AFP reporters saw junta chief Min Aung Hlaing arrive at a hospital in Naypyidaw where wounded were being treated after the 7.7-magnitude quake hit central Myanmar.

Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing (C) visits survivors from an earthquake at a hospital in Naypyidaw. Photo by AFP

India was ready to offer "all possible assistance" to Myanmar and Thailand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Friday, after both countries were hit by a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake.

"Praying for the safety and wellbeing of everyone," Modi wrote on social media platform X. "India stands ready to offer all possible assistance. In this regard, asked our authorities to be on standby."