A powerful earthquake shook Myanmar and parts of Thailand, leaving widespread destruction and a rising death toll. By Saturday, over 700 people had been confirmed dead, with at least 1,670 injured.

The 7.7-magnitude quake struck northwest of Sagaing, Myanmar, at 12:50 pm (0650 GMT) on Friday, at a shallow depth of 10 km. It was followed by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock and a series of tremors. The impact was felt across the region, with buildings shaking as far as India, China, Cambodia, and Laos.

Myanmar’s ruling military junta reported 694 fatalities as of Saturday morning. The country’s ongoing civil conflict has severely weakened its disaster response capabilities, making rescue operations difficult.

In Thailand, the quake caused the collapse of a high-rise under construction near Bangkok’s Chatuchak market, leading to 10 deaths. Authorities fear up to 100 workers may still be trapped beneath the rubble.

Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, saw multiple buildings crumble, while the historic Ava Bridge over the Irrawaddy River collapsed. Emergency workers and residents are racing to rescue those trapped under debris.

In a rare move, Myanmar’s military government issued an international appeal for assistance. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing requested aid from “any country, any organization.”

India was among the first to respond, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing solidarity and readiness to assist. The Indian Air Force dispatched 15 tonnes of relief supplies, including blankets, water purifiers, and essential medicines.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra convened an emergency meeting to assess the damage. The Indian embassy in Thailand confirmed no casualties among Indian nationals but urged vigilance.

International aid efforts are underway, with the European Union and the United States pledging support. US President Donald Trump confirmed Washington was in contact with Myanmar authorities, stating, “It’s a real bad one, and we will be helping.”