A powerful magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, prompting a nationwide emergency declaration as rescuers scramble to address collapsing infrastructure and surging casualties. Local authorities confirm at least 144 fatalities and 732 injuries, with numbers expected to rise.
Exclusive footage from Mandalay, the historic cultural hub, shows collapsed residential buildings, cracked roads, and teams working through debris in round-the-clock operations. The quake's epicenter near the ancient city has raised concerns about damage to UNESCO-listed heritage sites, though assessments remain ongoing.
Myanmar's military and civilian volunteers are coordinating evacuation efforts while international agencies prepare potential relief deployments. Seismologists note this marks the strongest tremor in the region since 2012, renewing discussions about earthquake preparedness across Southeast Asia's active fault lines.
Business analysts warn of potential supply chain disruptions in the agriculture and textiles sectors – key contributors to Myanmar’s economy. The disaster occurs during peak harvest season, with reports of rural communities cut off by damaged transportation networks.
