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A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, killing at least 1,000 people and flattening buildings across the region, including in neighbouring Thailand, where dozens remain trapped under rubble. The quake, centred near Mandalay, is the strongest to hit Myanmar in over a century. The US Geological Survey said the death toll could climb above 10,000 based on early projections. State broadcaster MRTV confirmed the fatalities on Saturday as aid groups struggled to access the hardest-hit areas due to collapsed roads, power outages and ongoing conflict in the country. Myanmar remains mired in a civil war triggered by a 2021 military coup, severely limiting its ability to respond to natural disasters. In Mandalay, a resident told CNN that her grandmother was trapped under debris when part of their home collapsed. “It hit very strong and very fast,” she said, adding that cracks had appeared across buildings in the neighbourhood. Neighbouring Thailand also suffered damage. At least 10 people were killed in Bangkok when a high-rise under construction collapsed, and more than 100 people are believed to be trapped. Thai authorities have launched a rescue operation. China and India were among the first nations to dispatch aid. A Chinese rescue team arrived Saturday morning, while New Delhi sent medical and emergency crews along with humanitarian supplies. Geologist Jess Phoenix said the quake released energy equivalent to over 300 atomic bombs and warned that aftershocks could continue for weeks. “What would normally be a difficult situation becomes almost impossible,” she added, referring to Myanmar’s fragile state. The Indian tectonic plate’s continued collision with the Eurasian plate is expected to generate more seismic activity, experts said. Aid agencies warn that communication blackouts are hampering their ability to assess needs and coordinate relief, as survivors face shortages of medical help, shelter, and clean water. Moreover, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday established a crisis management cell to assist Pakistani nationals affected by the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar and parts of Thailand. In an official statement, the Foreign Office expressed solidarity with the people of Myanmar and Thailand in the aftermath of what it described as an “unprecedented natural calamity.” The ministry has instructed Pakistani embassies in Yangon and Bangkok to provide all necessary support and emergency assistance to nationals in the affected regions. A dedicated Crisis Management Unit (CMU) at the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad has also been activated to monitor the situation and coordinate efforts to support Pakistanis in need. Emergency contact numbers provided The Foreign Office shared emergency contact details for Pakistani nationals currently in Myanmar and Thailand: Embassy of Pakistan in Yangon Mr. Anwar Zeb (Charge d’Affaires): +959880922880 Mr. Muhammad Shoaib (Counsellor): +959448999967 Mr. Ali Sher (Consular Assistant): +959457099977 Embassy of Pakistan in Bangkok Mr. Fahad (First Secretary): +66 95 968 1506 Mr. Yaseen (Consular Assistant): +66 91 697 7702 Crisis Management Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad Phone: 051-9207887 Email: cmu1@mofa.gov.pk
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