An earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale with its epicentre about 20km from Myanmar’s second most populous city, Mandalay hit at about 1:00pm on 28 March 2025.

There were two earthquakes and aftershocks with their epicentres within 20 km of Mandalay City that has a population of approximately 1.5 million people.

The epicentre of the first quake that measured 6.4 on the Richter Scale was about 20 km south east of Mandalay at 12:51 pm local time and the epicentre of the second one, the largest, measuring 7.7 on the Richter Scale, hit about 20 km northeast of Mandalay at 1:02 pm. These were followed by smaller aftershocks.

The Myanmar junta’s Military Council, that has ruled Myanmar since a military coup on 1 February 2021, declared a state of emergency in six areas. The regions of Mandalay, Sagaing, Magway, Bago, northeastern Shan State and the Nay Pyi Taw Council area, which includes the country’s capital Nay Pyi Taw.

According to Major General Zaw Min Tun, a spokesman for the Military Council, many injured patients have arrived at hospitals in the cities of Sagaing and Nay Pyi Taw.

The National Unity Government (NUG), the unofficial revolutionary shadow government resisting the coup, announced that it has received information about deaths and damage in the regions of Sagaing, Mandalay and Bago and the cities of Nay Pyi Taw and Taunggyi.

In a statement the NUG said: “The earthquakes have caused extensive damage across the Sagaing, Mandalay Regions, and surrounding towns. Numerous buildings, including heritage sites, religious structures, and community infrastructure, have collapsed. Landslides have occurred, and vital roads and bridges have been severely impacted.”

Many buildings in Mandalay have been damaged or have collapsed. So far, 40 bodies have been recovered, but hundreds of people remain trapped and injured. The debris and destruction along with power outages in many of the affected areas are hindering rescue efforts. The death toll is certain to rise.

Reports of damage caused by the earthquakes are still coming in.

In Taungoo Town in Bago Region, about 375 km south of Mandalay, buildings were damaged and 14 people died, according to locals.

According to initial reports from BBC Burmese at least 10 people may have died due to the collapse of the ancient Shwe Boorn Shin Mosque between 84th and 85th Streets in Mandalay.

According to reports in the Irrawaddy independent news outlet, buildings at the army’s military headquarters in Nay Pyi Taw were damaged by the quake.

A junta army officer, Captain Zin Yeo said to the Irrawaddy: "Many buildings collapsed in the Nay Pyi Taw military headquarters. We heard that there was damage. After that, the Nay Pyi Taw regional military headquarters also collapsed, including the regional governor's office. Military buildings including the former 85th Army Corps in the center of Pyumana also collapsed, [as did] the battalion headquarters and the rest of the commanders’ and residential buildings. The damage is still being investigated.”

Mandalay Bridge Airport and Nay Pyi Taw Airport have been temporarily closed due to damage to the interior of the airports’ buildings and runways.

According to reports from the independent Khit Thit Media the control tower at Nay Pyi Taw Airport collapsed killing five people and there are cracks in the runway. These have led to the airport being closed indefinitely.

The effects of the quakes were also felt just over 1,000km from Mandalay in the Thai capital Bangkok, where a 30 storey building that was under construction collapsed. According to Thai news outlets 67 people, including Burmese construction workers, are missing since the building’s collapse.

In a statement the NUG warned people to remain vigilant. It said: “Due to structural cracks, ground fractures, and the possibility of further aftershocks, there is a heightened risk of additional building collapses, dam failures, and bridge destruction. Civilians are advised to remain vigilant and conduct thorough inspections of buildings. Finally, everyone is urged to familiarise themselves with earthquake safety measures and take necessary precautions to minimise casualties and damages in case of further tremors. “

The Military Council announced that it will quickly investigate the damage, carry out relief operations, and provide disaster relief and humanitarian assistance. Unfortunately the Myanmar military has a track record of sequestering aid and taking it for itself rather than distributing it to people in need.