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A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand, killing over 1,000 people and injuring thousands. Rescue teams race against time to find survivors amid collapsed buildings in Mandalay. The military junta has appealed for international aid as the disaster worsens, with infrastructure damage complicating relief efforts.

A devastating earthquake rocked central Myanmar and parts of Thailand on Friday, leaving over 1,000 dead and thousands more injured as rescue teams scrambled to find survivors trapped under collapsed buildings.

The 7.7-magnitude quake, centered near Sagaing, was followed by a powerful 6.7 aftershock, causing widespread destruction. Mandalay, one of Myanmar’s largest cities, suffered severe damage, with bridges downed and roads torn apart.

Emergency workers are racing against time to locate over 90 people feared trapped in the ruins of a high-rise apartment complex in Mandalay. “We need urgent aid,” pleaded a resident, highlighting the desperate need for food, medical supplies, and shelter.

In addition to residential buildings, a centuries-old pagoda was reduced to rubble, and a monastery collapsed, claiming the life of a monk. Communications remain unstable, making it difficult to assess the full extent of the catastrophe.

Myanmar’s military government has declared a state of emergency in six regions and issued a rare call for international assistance. Countries, including India and China, have begun sending aid, but relief efforts face challenges due to the country’s ongoing civil conflict.

Across the border in Thailand, the quake triggered the collapse of a 30-story building in Bangkok, with at least 10 confirmed dead and many still missing. Authorities have launched structural inspections across the city as tremors caused significant damage.

With rescue operations ongoing, officials fear the death toll could rise further in the coming days.