CHAOS IN THE HEART OF SOUTHEAST ASIA
A massive
7.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Myanmar’s Mandalay early Friday,
killing at least 144 people and injuring 732. But the tremors didn’t
stop there—shockwaves raced across borders, shaking Thailand’s capital
Bangkok 250 miles away, collapsing a skyscraper mid-construction and turning the city into a disaster zone.
Thailand Earthquake Impact: Bangkok’s Nightmare
In Bangkok, a 33-story building crumbled like a house of cards, killing at least eight and trapping over 117 under debris. Survivors described “clouds of dust swallowing the street”
as sirens blared and rescuers clawed through rubble. Seven people were
pulled alive, but hope fades as night falls. The city’s subway and
elevated trains froze, streets flooded with panicked crowds, and rooftop
pools emptied onto sidewalks. “The whole building began to move… people screamed, running everywhere,” said a shaken Scottish tourist.
Myanmar’s Crisis: Bridges Fall, Power Fails
Closer
to the epicenter, Myanmar’s ancient landmarks weren’t spared. A
90-year-old bridge collapsed, the iconic Ma Soe Yane monastery crumbled,
and cracks tore through highways. A dam burst flooded villages, while
power outages in Mandalay and Yangon left rescuers working in darkness.
Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing begged for global help, declaring, “Any country can assist us.”
Global Aid Rollercoaster
U.S. Twist: President Trump vowed support despite plans to shut down USAID, sparking confusion.
China Steps Up: Promised urgent aid, calling Myanmar its “pauk-phaw” (sibling) ally.
UN Scrambles: Secretary-General Guterres called Myanmar “the weakest in the region” to handle this alone.
Survivors’ Stories: “Monks Filmed Their Monastery Collapsing”
Social
media flooded with clips of monks recording their sacred spaces moments
before destruction. In Mandalay, families camped outside, fearing
aftershocks. A 4.2-magnitude tremor hit hours later, deepening panic.
Why This Quake Hit Hard
The
quake’s shallow depth (6.2 miles) amplified destruction. Myanmar’s
ongoing civil war has slowed rescue efforts, leaving villages cut off.
In Bangkok, the disaster declaration signals a long recovery ahead.
What’s Next?
Rescue teams race against time in both countries. Follow live updates for the latest on this developing crisis.
🗨️ “We stand ready to help,” said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. But for survivors, help can’t come soon enough.
Stay tuned for more updates.
