Yangon/Bangkok: A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck northwest of Sagaing, Myanmar, on Friday afternoon, followed by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock, causing widespread destruction. The disaster has claimed nearly 150 lives, injured hundreds, and left many trapped under collapsed buildings.

In Myanmar, 144 people have been confirmed dead, with 732 injured, though officials warn that the death toll is likely to rise. The quake caused bridges, roads, and buildings to collapse, leaving hospitals overwhelmed with casualties. Meanwhile, in Thailand, three deaths have been reported after a 30-storey skyscraper under construction in Bangkok crumbled within seconds.

Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, has made a rare appeal for international aid, calling on countries and organizations to assist in relief efforts. He stated, "I would like to invite any country, any organization, or anyone in Myanmar to come and help." In response to the disaster, the Myanmar government has declared a state of emergency in six affected regions, while the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the situation poses a "very, very big threat to life and health."

Rescue operations are underway in both countries. In Naypyidaw, Myanmar’s capital, emergency teams are racing to free survivors from collapsed buildings, including a mother and child trapped under rubble. In Thailand, hundreds of rescue workers are searching for missing persons in the ruins of the Bangkok skyscraper collapse, where many construction workers remain unaccounted for.

The international community has begun mobilizing aid, with India, France, and the European Union offering assistance. The WHO is deploying trauma supplies from Dubai, while Pope Francis has expressed condolences for the victims.

The earthquake was felt across the region, with tremors reported in China, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and India. In Thailand, authorities have declared an emergency zone in Bangkok, suspending metro services and keeping parks open overnight for those unable to return home.

Seismic activity along Myanmar’s Sagaing Fault has led to six earthquakes of 7.0+ magnitude since 1930. With aftershocks continuing, officials are on high alert, bracing for further casualties and long-term recovery efforts.