Myanmar, a country in Southeast Asia, surrounded by Thailand, China, and Bangladesh, was hit with a 7.7 magnitude earthquake on the morning of March 28th, 2025.
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake is extremely high, with the highest on record being a 9.5 in Chile. According to the New York Times, the Myanmar earthquake was followed by a 6.7 aftershock 11 minutes later.
On Friday, CNBC reported 144 people were presumed dead and 730 injured in Myanmar. Over the weekend, CNN is reporting more than 1600 deaths, while the recovery efforts are ongoing. The US Geological Survey estimates the death toll will be over 10,000. Search and recovery are slowed by limited heavy machinery access, as well as communication blackouts and damaged roads. One of Asia’s poorest nations, Myanmar is reliant upon foreign aid.
According to AP News, this morning, the deaths have surpassed 2000. Several hundred Muslims are presumed dead, another 200 Buddhist monks, all practicing afternoon prayer, were victims of collapsing mosques and monasteries when the quake hit on Friday.
Russia, China, India, and several Southeast Asia countries have started sending teams and medical supplies.
