On Sunday, a massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar’s central Sagaing region. This quake is the strongest to shake the region in more than a century. The temblor’s epicenter hit directly on the line of the infamous Sagaing fault. This “strike-slip” fault is perhaps best-known for its terrifying horizontal displacement between tectonic plates. The quake has led to widespread destruction, collapsing buildings and bridges, and resulting in significant casualties in both Myanmar and neighboring Thailand. The energy released by the earthquake was equal to 334 atomic bombs, which puts into perspective just how devastating this earthquake was.
While the quake hit the hour, hard. Bangkok In the capital city, officials confirmed at least 17 deaths, with more expected to be found. As Myanmar continues to deal with a deteriorating civil conflict, the disaster has added complexities to already challenging relief efforts. The country’s already strained health infrastructure is now facing severe shortages of medical supplies, while communication blackouts hinder the assessment of damage. Thousands more now expect to spend months or years sleeping outside, worry about aftershocks or even new buildings falling.
Unprecedented Geological Event
The earthquake hit at a very shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), making it all the more destructive. The Sagaing fault, shown in red, runs north-south through the center of Myanmar. The explosion created a fissure that displaced the ground five meters (16.4 feet) in under one minute in some sections. This tectonic upheaval produced violent shaking, which resulted in the destruction of buildings as far away as 10 miles from the epicenter.
The Sagaing Federal Unit Hluttaw, an anti-regime authority in Myanmar, expressed grave concerns over the situation:
“About 80% of the area has been destroyed, even now, not all the bodies have been recovered.” – Po Po
The earthquake comes at a time when Myanmar is already dealing with a protracted civil war that has severely damaged communication networks and health systems. Millions of urban and agrarian residents already lived in food and nutrition insecurity, a reality now heightened by the effects of the earthquake and its aftermath. The United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlighted the dire situation:
“Bodies are still trapped under the debris, and those that have been recovered remain unburied, spreading a foul odor that poses serious health risks.” – Sagaing Federal Unit Hluttaw
Humanitarian Crisis Amidst Civil Conflict
In Mandalay, the country’s second largest city, residents quickly experienced the quake’s violent effects. One woman recounted her experience:
“Thousands of people are spending the nights on the streets or (in) open spaces due to the damage and destruction to homes or fearing further quakes.” – United Nations’ OCHA
Rescue teams are still on the ground fighting to save those trapped underneath fallen buildings. Yet their efforts are complicated by a lack of resources and damage to infrastructure. A former lawyer from a city affected by the quake noted:
“It hit very strong and very fast.” – A Mandalay resident
The earthquake triggered extensive communication blackouts across the affected areas. This sudden disruption often hampers officials’ ability to determine the scope of destruction and direct relief efforts in a timely manner. Medical facilities are under siege and overwhelmed with the influx of casualties. They lack basic trauma kits, blood bags, anesthetics and assistive devices needed to treat traumatic injuries.
“Until now, we have not been able to recover their dead bodies from rubble.” – A former lawyer in the city
Challenges in Relief and Recovery
In Bangkok alone, at least 17 people have perished. With each passing moment, they’re facing stepped-up priorities to preserve human life. The infrastructure damage is grave, with dozens of bridges and public buildings collapsed from the quake’s severity.
Rescue teams are continuing round the clock efforts to reach isolated communities that have been left stranded by devastated roadways and communication lines. Much of the region is still under water, with critical access and safety issues. Those still trapped or injured have still not received the assistance that is critical and urgently needed.
Rescue teams are tirelessly working to reach isolated communities cut off by damaged roads and communication lines. However, with substantial areas still inaccessible, there is growing concern about those who remain trapped or injured and have not yet received aid.
