Myanmar earthquake latest: At least 144 dead in Myanmar after earthquake; dozens trapped in Bangkok

Sky News

28-03-2025

At least nine dead in Bangkok, Thai official says
We're also getting the latest numbers in from the aftermath of the earthquakes in Bangkok.
Bangkok's deputy governor Tavida Kamolvej tells the Reuters news agency that at least nine people have died as a result of the tremors.
Of that number, eight died when a building under construction collapsed, and another died in a different location.
That brings the total dead across Myanmar and Thailand to at least 153.
144 dead and 732 injured in Myanmar, state broadcaster says
At least 144 people have died in Myanmar, the country's state television network said on Telegram.
It also says that 732 people have been injured by the earthquake and aftershocks this morning.
It's the first official figure from Myanmar's military junta, as the country's military chief Min Aung Hlaing adds there will be more deaths and casualties.
He says: "I have declared a state of emergency and requested international assistance.
"I have approved a request from the AHA Centre [ASEAN's humanitarian office], which will be sending aid tomorrow, and India will also be sending assistance.
"I would like to extend an open invitation to any organisations and nations willing to come and help the people in need within our country."
As it stands, the figure does not appear to include anything from the Mandalay region, one of the worst affected by the earthquake this morning.
'Hard to imagine' situation in Bangkok has improved, journalist says
After the Thai PM said the situation in Bangkok had improved, a journalist in the city tells Sky News it was a "little bit hard to imagine".
Tara Abhasakun, who was on the 14th floor of her condominium when the earthquake struck, says "when I went outside and when I went to the street, I saw that there was a lot of traffic - traffic was very backed up".
She adds that "in terms of 'if things can go back to normal', that's just a bit hard to imagine because there are still people missing".
"I just don't think that things can go back to normal tomorrow," she said.
Police dogs helping with search and rescue
As the search for people trapped in rubble continues, police in Bangkok are using dogs to help their efforts.
This video from Royal Thai Police shows one of the canines on the scene in the capital.
Reports of earthquake damage in China
Reports of damage from the earthquake are also coming in from China now.
The tremor was also felt in Yunnan and Sichuan provinces - to the northeast of Myanmar.
Damage to houses and injuries were also reported in the city of Ruili on the border, according to Chinese media.
One local news outlet said it received a video from Ruili showing building debris littering a street and a person being wheeled in a stretcher toward an ambulance.
A resident also told The Paper, an online publication, that the shaking in Mangshi was so strong that people could not stand.
In pictures: Cracked roads and toppled buildings across countries
Pictures are coming in from across areas of Thailand and Myanmar damaged by the earthquakes.
In Naypyitaw, Myanmar's capital, severe damage can be seen on the roads.
In Mandalay, one of the cities suffering the heaviest impact, buildings have completely collapsed, leaving heaps of rubble on the roadside.
And the tremors could be felt in Bangkok, Thailand's capital, as we've been reporting - where emergency services have been working to rescue people trapped.
Thai popstar tells Sky News earthquake damage 'looked like 9/11'
Thai pop star and actor Krissada Sukosol Clapp told Sky News earlier about the moment he had to evacuate from the earthquake in Bangkok.
"I was just next door, in another building just about two metres away," he said. "I ran down the building, there was smoke."
He added the sound was "almost like thunder, and I saw smoke just flying out," and that the damage "looked like 9/11 to me".
Earthquake 'could not come at a worse time for Myanmar,' charity researcher says
Reacting to reports of the earthquake, Amnesty International's Joe Freeman says it "could not come at a worse time for Myanmar".
He notes that more than three million people are still internally displaced after the 2021 military coup, and says more than a third of the population will need humanitarian assistance this year.
"That there appear to be more images and information coming out of Thailand than the epicentre in Myanmar is a startling reminder of the military's crushing of press freedom," he added.
Freeman also said the cuts to USAID under President Donald Trump "are just starting to bite".
For context: In early 2021, Myanmar's military seized power from the government, and detained de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint.
The military said at the time it was seizing power and declaring a state of emergency over concerns of widespread electoral fraud in the 2020 vote.
Read more on our coverage of the coup below....
Situation has improved after earthquake, Thai PM says
The Thai prime minister has said the situation has improved after the earthquake this morning.
A statement from Paetongtarn Shinawatra's press office says people can now return to their homes and tall buildings that were not damaged, and that public parks have been opened for people to stay in.
It adds that she has ordered the gradual evacuation of people from collapsed buildings before going to the affected areas.
Those concerned about the safety of their homes were told they could request an inspection from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
Sick, weird and dizzy: How a witness felt after their first noticeable Bangkok earthquake
"I feel sick. It's like a dizzy feeling."
Creamlie Sripputthakun, who lives in Bangkok, was riding a motorbike back home when the earthquake hit.
The 20-year-old tells us: "It's the first time for me.
"I feel so weird and strange like I was dizzy."
"Everyone felt the same because it was the first earthquake in Thailand that was strong enough for people to notice."
She adds: "I was going back home by motorcycle and I see the buildings moving.
"I just know to stay home with my family."
Reporting by Freya Taylor.