Video: Skyscraper falls like a house of cards after powerful earthquake rocks Bangkok
Sujita Sinha
A 30-story skyscraper under construction in Bangkok collapsed on Friday after a powerful earthquake struck the region. The disaster trapped 43 workers inside, according to police and medics.
The building, meant for government offices, crumbled within seconds, leaving behind a mass of debris and twisted metal. The 7.7-magnitude quake had its epicenter in Myanmar, northwest of the city of Sagaing, and struck in the afternoon.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the tremor occurred at a shallow depth, amplifying its impact. A 6.4-magnitude aftershock followed minutes later, adding to the destruction.
State of emergency declared
Thai authorities have declared a state of emergency in Bangkok, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced on Friday. Emergency response teams are working to rescue those trapped in the collapsed skyscraper.
Residents in cities across Thailand and Myanmar described moments of sheer terror. Duangjai, a resident of Chiang Mai, said, “I heard it and I was sleeping in the house, I ran as far as I could in my pyjamas out of the building.”
In Myanmar’s capital, Naypyidaw, the earthquake caused severe damage to buildings. Journalists from AFP reported that chunks of ceilings collapsed, roads cracked, and panic swept through the city. The National Museum in Naypyidaw shook violently, sending pieces of walls crashing down.
A team of uniformed staff fled the museum, some crying and others frantically trying to reach their families by phone. The ground trembled for around 30 seconds before finally settling.
Infrastructure damaged as tremors reach China
The earthquake caused widespread damage in Bangkok, leading to the temporary suspension of metro and light rail services. Several buildings suffered structural damage, and authorities warned of possible aftershocks.
The tremors were also felt as far as China’s Yunnan province. The Beijing earthquake agency measured the jolt at 7.9 in magnitude.
Myanmar, which sits along the Sagaing Fault, has a history of strong earthquakes. Between 1930 and 1956, six quakes of magnitude 7.0 or higher struck near the fault line, according to the USGS. In 2016, a 6.8-magnitude quake in Bagan killed three people and destroyed parts of the city’s famous temples.
Experts warn that Myanmar’s rapid urban development, combined with aging infrastructure and weak building regulations, makes its cities highly vulnerable to earthquakes. The country also struggles with an underfunded healthcare system, particularly in rural areas, which could hinder medical responses to disasters.
Rescue operations in Bangkok remain ongoing as authorities work to recover those trapped under the collapsed skyscraper.
Sujita Sinha
A 30-story skyscraper under construction in Bangkok collapsed on Friday after a powerful earthquake struck the region. The disaster trapped 43 workers inside, according to police and medics.
The building, meant for government offices, crumbled within seconds, leaving behind a mass of debris and twisted metal. The 7.7-magnitude quake had its epicenter in Myanmar, northwest of the city of Sagaing, and struck in the afternoon.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the tremor occurred at a shallow depth, amplifying its impact. A 6.4-magnitude aftershock followed minutes later, adding to the destruction.
State of emergency declared
Thai authorities have declared a state of emergency in Bangkok, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced on Friday. Emergency response teams are working to rescue those trapped in the collapsed skyscraper.
Residents in cities across Thailand and Myanmar described moments of sheer terror. Duangjai, a resident of Chiang Mai, said, “I heard it and I was sleeping in the house, I ran as far as I could in my pyjamas out of the building.”
In Myanmar’s capital, Naypyidaw, the earthquake caused severe damage to buildings. Journalists from AFP reported that chunks of ceilings collapsed, roads cracked, and panic swept through the city. The National Museum in Naypyidaw shook violently, sending pieces of walls crashing down.
A team of uniformed staff fled the museum, some crying and others frantically trying to reach their families by phone. The ground trembled for around 30 seconds before finally settling.
Infrastructure damaged as tremors reach China
The earthquake caused widespread damage in Bangkok, leading to the temporary suspension of metro and light rail services. Several buildings suffered structural damage, and authorities warned of possible aftershocks.
The tremors were also felt as far as China’s Yunnan province. The Beijing earthquake agency measured the jolt at 7.9 in magnitude.
Myanmar, which sits along the Sagaing Fault, has a history of strong earthquakes. Between 1930 and 1956, six quakes of magnitude 7.0 or higher struck near the fault line, according to the USGS. In 2016, a 6.8-magnitude quake in Bagan killed three people and destroyed parts of the city’s famous temples.
Experts warn that Myanmar’s rapid urban development, combined with aging infrastructure and weak building regulations, makes its cities highly vulnerable to earthquakes. The country also struggles with an underfunded healthcare system, particularly in rural areas, which could hinder medical responses to disasters.
Rescue operations in Bangkok remain ongoing as authorities work to recover those trapped under the collapsed skyscraper.
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Summary
Powerful earthquake (7.7 magnitude) hits Bangkok, causing a 30-story skyscraper under construction to collapse, trapping 43 workers. The epicenter was in Myanmar's Sagaing region. A state of emergency has been declared in Bangkok, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Buildings were severely damaged