March 29, 2025
A powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck near Sagaing, Myanmar, causing widespread destruction and casualties in Mandalay.
As of 4:30 p.m. today, eyewitness reports indicate that numerous bodies, including unidentified ones, have been transported to Mandalay General Hospital’s emergency ward by humanitarian organizations. Initial estimates suggest around 60 fatalities, with the death toll expected to rise.
Mandalay, a densely populated city with many high-rise buildings, saw severe damage to structures, including the city walls, historic pagodas, monasteries, mosques, and residential buildings. Many residents have been forced onto the streets, unable to remain in their homes due to structural instability.
Local volunteer rescue teams are currently leading relief efforts, though rescue operations remain insufficient. Reports indicate that many individuals are still trapped under collapsed buildings. Observers noted that helicopters from the Central Regional Military Command in Mandalay were seen surveying the city, but no large-scale military rescue efforts have been confirmed.
In a speech this evening, military leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing stated that the official death toll stood at 144, including 96 in Naypyidaw, 18 in Sagaing, and 30 in Kyaukse. He also reported 732 injuries, with 432 in Naypyidaw and 300 in Sagaing, warning that casualty numbers could rise further.
