Monday 31 / March / 2025
Bangkok: A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, with strong tremors felt as far away as Bangkok, Thailand.
The Myanmar military junta said at least 144 people have died and another 732 people have been injured in the quake.
The quake also caused damage to historic sites in Myanmar, including parts of the former royal palace in Mandalay, the city at the epicentre of the quake.
In Bangkok, a high-rise building under construction collapsed, with at least eight confirmed dead and dozens feared trapped in the rubble.
The greater Bangkok area is home to more than 17 million people, many of whom live in high-rise apartments.
US President Donald Trump, the EU and France have vowed to help those harmed by the quake.
International medical organisation Doctors without Borders (MSF) said it is "ready to assist" after the quake in Myanmar and Thailand.
"Our medical humanitarian staff in Myanmar and neighbouring countries have the capacity to respond at scale to the needs of affected communities as soon as authorities facilitate swift and unhindered access for teams to do assessments and provide medical care," MSF operations manager for Myanmar, Bangladesh and Malaysia Paul Brockmann said in a statement.
Brockman said the organisation is "concerned about those who will be vulnerable after losing shelter, access to general health care, and safe drinking water, which is crucial to control the possible spread of waterborne diseases."
"To enable an effective response, swift access to affected areas and timely approval of essential supplies and personnel are criticial," Brockmann urged.
MSF has been present in Myanmar since 1992, dealing with issues such as HIV and tuberculosis and providing help to the prosecuted Rohinya people.
MSF also has operations since 1976 in Thailand
The organisation is present in the southern regions of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, where is provides basic health services and mental health treatment.
