Earthquake in Thailand/Myanmar Destroys Buildings, Injures Many

FHS Journalist Gabriella Mais supports victims of the Thailand/Myanmar earthquakes

On March 28, 2025, a catastrophic 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar near the city of Mandalay, with tremors felt across neighboring Thailand, including Bangkok. This seismic event, the most powerful in the region since 1912, resulted in widespread devastation, claiming over 5,400 lives, injuring more than 11,000 individuals, and leaving hundreds missing.

The quake's shallow depth of 10 kilometers intensified its destructive impact, leading to the collapse of buildings, infrastructure damage, and significant aftershocks that hampered rescue efforts.

In Myanmar, the earthquake's epicenter near Mandalay caused severe damage to residential areas, religious sites (churches and temples), and essential infrastructure. The ongoing civil conflict further complicated relief operations, with reports of continued military aggression hindering humanitarian access. Neighboring Thailand also experienced the quake's effects, with Bangkok reporting the collapse of a 33-story building under construction, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.

Many students at FHS heard about the earthquake from the news. Flicka Austria described how she got a notification on her phone: "I was scrolling on my phone when all of a sudden I got a notification from Apple News saying a big earthquake hit Thailand/Myanmar."

Countries, including China, India, Russia, and Bangladesh, and organizations such as UNHCR, ICRC, and WFP, are trying to send help like food, medicine, and rescue teams, but receiving this aid hasn't been easy. In Myanmar, the government is in conflict with rebel groups, and fighting is still going on in some areas. This makes it hard for aid workers to safely get to the places that need help the most. Roads and bridges have also been damaged by the earthquake, which slows everything down.

Even with these problems, people in Thailand, Myanmar, and from around the world are doing their best to help. The FHS Warrior extends their hearts to those affected by this natural disaster.