43 Trapped as Bangkok Skyscraper Collapses After Quake

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand on Friday, causing widespread devastation. The tremor, followed by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock, left dozens trapped in a collapsed 30-storey building under construction in Bangkok.

The quake's epicentre was near Sagaing, Myanmar, where buildings toppled, roads cracked, and the famed Ava bridge collapsed. In Naypyidaw, the emergency department of a major hospital pancaked onto a car, turning the area into a "mass casualty zone."

Hundreds of injured were treated outside the 1,000-bed facility. A hospital official described the overwhelming influx, while a doctor admitted, "I’ve never seen anything like this. We are exhausted."

In Bangkok, 43 workers were trapped when the government office building crumbled into rubble near Chatuchak market. Deputy police chief Worapat Sukthai reported hearing cries for help from the site. Authorities estimate hundreds injured, with rescue efforts ongoing.

The tremor sent residents across Bangkok and Chiang Mai rushing into the streets. Sai, 76, from Chiang Mai, recounted, "This is the strongest quake I’ve ever felt."

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared a state of emergency in Bangkok, suspending metro services and causing further traffic chaos. Airports, however, continued normal operations.

The quake was felt across the region, including China, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and India. In Ruili, China, videos showed water and debris cascading from buildings as people fled.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered assistance to Myanmar and Thailand, with authorities on standby.

Earthquakes are common in Myanmar, with several strong quakes recorded near the Sagaing Fault. A 6.8-magnitude quake in Bagan killed three and damaged temples in 2016.