PanOrient News | Earthquake-hit Myanmar appeals for international assistance

Please Select Your Language : Arabic | Japanese

Environment

Earthquake-hit Myanmar appeals for international assistance

Friday, March 28, 2025

PanOrient News

YANGON -(Myanmar): The Myanmar government, in a rare and urgent appeal, has appealed for an immediate need for international humanitarian aid in the wake of a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the country on Friday 28 March.

The authorities declared a state of emergency across the six regions of Sagaing, Mandalay, Magwe, Shan (East), Naypyitaw and Bago that were hard-hit by the 12:51 pm tremblor.

The Government Spokesman, Zaw Min Tun, underlined the critical need for assistance, saying, "We urgently require the support of the international community in the form of humanitarian aid," highlighting the crucial role that international aid can play in this disaster. He also asked peple for blood donations for injured people in the capital Naypyitaw and the states of Mandalay and Sagaing.

The quake's depth was at 10 km below the ground, making the damage more severe. The magnitude of 7.7 earthquake struck about 20 kilometers northeast of Mandalay, near Sagaing in central Myanmar. Its tremors were felt across a vast area, including Myanmar, Thailand, China, and Laos, underscoring the widespread impact of this natural disaster.

Three smaller aftershocks continued, according to the authorities.

The earthquake caused the collapse of the old Sagaing Bridge and several buildings in Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay, Pyinmana, Aungban, and Inle. Damages also included the collapses of the Dotehtawadi Bridge on the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway and some portions at and around the 362-mile Yangon-Mandalay Expressway, causing some road closures along the route.

The authorities have warned that the Sagaing Fault is one of Myanmar's most geologically dangerous areas, asking people in the region to be vigilant.

The Sagaing Fault is earthquake-prone and runs from central to northern Myanmar. This fault is caused by the movement of the Indian and Eurasian plates.

The full extent of the damage, which is of a catastrophic scale, will likely take days to assess, but numerous reports have said there are deaths and injuries from damage caused by the quake.

Several buildings at Myanmar's military headquarters and also in the parliament compound have reportedly suffered severe damage or have collapsed as a result, according to local media. The extent of the damage is yet to be fully assessed, but it is clear that the earthquake has had a significant impact on the country's infrastructure.

In addition, some buildings in the country's administrative capital, Naypyitaw, collapsed during the earthquake, which was centered near Sagaing town in central Myanmar. A huge fire was reported to have broken out in the Mandalay University building.

The Hotel Aungban in Aungban town, adjacent to the tourist destination of Kalaw in southern Shan State, was reported to have collapsed, resulting in multiple casualties and missing persons.

"Many people are missing at Hotel Aungban," a resident told local media. "The quake was extremely strong. Rescue and relief efforts are now underway."

India said it is ready to offer "all possible assistance" to Myanmar and Thailand, which were also hit by the same earthquake. Buildings were also damaged, including one under construction that collapsed, trapping many workers inside.
China and Russia have reportedly sent emergency and rescue teams.