On Friday, Myanmar was hit by a strong earthquake that has killed over 2,000 people and injured close to 4,000 others. The quake has caused massive damage, and efforts to help those affected are being slowed by the effects of the earthquake and by the country’s ongoing civil war.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city. The earthquake, which hit in the early afternoon, was the most powerful quake to hit the country since 1912. Over 160 aftershocks followed the main quake, including one with a magnitude of 6.7.
The quake caused buildings to collapse and bridges to fall. It damaged roads all through the area. The country’s capital, Naypyitaw, which is roughly 125 miles (200 kilometers) away, was also hit hard. The earthquake was felt as far away as Thailand and southwest China. In Thailand, at least one building collapsed and 19 people were killed.
Map showing the epicenter of the earthquake that hit Myanmar on March 28, 2025.
On Friday, Myanmar was hit by a strong earthquake that has killed over 2,000 people and injured close to 4,000 others. The 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city. Above, a map showing the center of the earthquake that hit Myanmar on March 28.
(Source: Maps.interlude [CC BY 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons.)
In Myanmar, over 2,000 people have died and 270 have been reported missing. But there is limited communication with the areas most affected. The United Nations (UN) says the number of deaths is very likely to increase as time goes on.
One of the biggest problems has been the lack of heavy equipment. Many buildings have collapsed, and rescue workers are trying to find survivors. But without heavy equipment to remove the rubble, in many areas, rescue workers have had to do the best they can with just their bare hands. The country’s damaged roads have made it hard to bring in the needed equipment.
With close to 4,000 people injured, the need for doctors, nurses, and medical supplies is high. The WHO says three hospitals in the area have been destroyed, and 22 others have been damaged.
😕
This image has not been loaded because of your cookie choices. To view the content, you can accept 'Non-necessary' cookies.
Many buildings have collapsed, and rescue workers are trying to find survivors. But without heavy equipment to remove the rubble, in many areas, rescue workers have had to do the best they can with just their bare hands. Above, rescuers searching for survivors in a building in Mandalay, the day after the earthquake.
The widespread damage to roads, bridges, and even airports has made it very difficult for aid to get into the country and to the areas where it is needed.
Myanmar was already struggling before the earthquake. In 2021, Myanmar’s military took control of the country in a coup. Over time, as different groups fought back against the military, the situation has turned into a civil war, with fighting in many areas.
One of the groups fighting against the military has declared that it will stop fighting for two weeks, unless it is attacked. But the military government has continued its airstrikes, even after the earthquake.
😕
This image has not been loaded because of your cookie choices. To view the content, you can accept 'Non-necessary' cookies.
The widespread damage to roads, bridges, and even airports has made it very difficult for aid to get into the country and to the areas where it is needed. Above, a person walking on a damaged road in Naypyidaw, the country’s capital, after the earthquake on March 28.
The UN says that even before the earthquake, 3 million people in Myanmar had been forced from their homes by the fighting, and that close to 20 million people needed help. Yet the military government strictly limited foreign aid organizations trying to help these people.
But now Myanmar’s military has said it will accept help from other countries. Many countries, including China, Russia, and India, have sent rescue workers and supplies.
But the continued fighting has made it harder for aid organizations to help. Some groups are also worried that the government might limit aid going into areas controlled by forces that oppose the government.
Yesterday, the government announced a week of mourning for the victims of the earthquake.
Did You Know…?
The US has promised Myanmar $2 million in aid. But the US programs that would normally have helped in a situation like this were ended weeks ago, when US President Donald Trump moved to shut down the US Agency for International Development (USAID).