A devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, March 28, 2025, during the sacred time of Friday prayers in the holy month of Ramadan, leading to a horrific loss of life. Reports indicate that hundreds of Muslim worshippers were killed when numerous mosques collapsed in the regions of Mandalay and Sagaing, which bore the brunt of the seismic activity.
The powerful quake, the most intense to hit Myanmar in over a century, occurred at approximately 12:50 PM local time. Its shallow origin, at a depth of only 10 kilometers, resulted in violent ground shaking that caused widespread destruction of buildings and infrastructure. The timing of the earthquake, as congregations gathered for Friday prayers, tragically amplified the casualty figures within the religious communities.
Disturbing accounts and visual evidence from the affected areas reveal mosques reduced to rubble, with frantic rescue efforts underway to locate survivors amidst the debris. The Spring Revolution Myanmar Muslim Network estimates that hundreds of worshippers perished, and approximately 60 mosques suffered damage or complete destruction in the Mandalay and Sagaing regions alone.
The impact of the earthquake extended beyond places of worship, causing significant damage to homes, roads, and essential infrastructure. Neighboring Thailand also experienced the tremors, with reports of a building collapse in Bangkok resulting in casualties.
International aid has begun to arrive in Myanmar, with nations like China and India offering assistance with rescue teams and essential supplies. However, the sheer scale of the disaster, coupled with ongoing challenges in accessing affected areas, is complicating relief efforts. This natural catastrophe has further exacerbated the existing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, a nation already struggling with civil unrest and political instability.
As rescue operations persist, the immediate priorities are to provide medical aid to the injured, recover the deceased, and offer support to the countless individuals who have lost their homes and loved ones in this calamitous event. The tragic events of this Friday serve as a stark reminder of the destructive force of nature and the vulnerability of communities in earthquake-prone regions, especially during times of mass gathering.