Powerful 7.7 Earthquake Devastates Parts of Asia: Dozens Dead, Rescue Efforts Underway

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck early Monday morning along the China-Myanmar border, shaking parts of southern China, northern Thailand, and Myanmar. The quake hit at 3:42 a.m. local time, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, intensifying its destructive impact across the region.

The earthquake has caused widespread devastation, with dozens confirmed dead and hundreds injured. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with emergency teams racing to find survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings. In Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai (Thailand), strong tremors prompted mass evacuations, as authorities fear continued aftershocks and structural instability.

Hospitals in affected areas are overwhelmed, struggling to treat the injured amid limited supplies and infrastructure damage. Emergency shelters have been set up for displaced residents, providing food, water, and basic medical care under extremely difficult conditions.

The disaster has also triggered power outages, road closures, and communication disruptions, significantly slowing rescue operations. Aftershocks continue to shake the region, adding danger and uncertainty to ongoing relief efforts.

Governments in China, Myanmar, and Thailand have pledged a coordinated response, deploying personnel, aid, and equipment to support impacted communities. International organizations are monitoring the situation, with humanitarian assistance expected to follow.

This earthquake underscores the region’s high seismic risk and highlights the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness, cross-border cooperation, and long-term recovery planning.

Authorities are urging residents to stay alert, as rescue and relief efforts continue under dangerous and evolving conditions.