An intense day of emergency is unfolding in Asia following a violent 7.7 magnitude earthquake that shook vast regions of Myanmar, southern China, and northern Thailand early Monday morning, leaving dozens dead, hundreds injured, and numerous people trapped under the rubble.
The quake struck at 3:42 a.m. local time, with its epicenter in a mountainous area on the border between Myanmar and China’s Yunnan province, at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake was also strongly felt in the cities of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, Thailand, where mass evacuations were reported.
Myanmar, the worst-hit country to date, has declared a state of emergency in several regions after reporting at least 48 dead and more than 300 injured, with dozens missing. In the city of Lashio, buildings have completely collapsed, and rescue teams are working against the clock to find survivors in the rubble.
“We heard a loud noise, and suddenly everything started shaking. The walls cracked, and the ground moved like waves,” said Myo Thant, a resident of the affected area who managed to escape with his family before their house collapsed.
In China, authorities in Yunnan province confirmed at least 12 dead and more than 100 injured, as well as the collapse of key infrastructure such as bridges, schools, and hospitals. Chinese authorities deployed troops and search and rescue teams, activated their seismic alert system, and evacuated thousands of people from high-risk areas.
In Thailand, although no fatalities have been reported so far, significant structural damage has occurred to ancient temples and historic buildings. Thai authorities have suspended classes in schools in Chiang Rai and are keeping hospitals on alert for possible aftershocks.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a precautionary alert for nearby coasts, which was lifted hours later after no sea level abnormalities were detected. However, experts do not rule out significant aftershocks in the coming hours.
International organizations such as the UN and the International Red Cross have already begun coordinating humanitarian aid to assist the victims. The international community has expressed its solidarity with the affected countries, and the delivery of rescue teams, food, and medicine is expected.
Social media has been filled with dramatic images showing cracked streets, collapsed buildings, injured people, and families desperately searching for loved ones in the rubble. The hashtag #EarthquakeAsia has become a global trend.
As search and rescue efforts continue, authorities urge the public to remain calm, refrain from spreading fake news, and follow only official information. An updated report is expected in the coming hours, as Asia awakens amid chaos, fear, and the hope of finding survivors.
