A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, 2025, causing widespread destruction and significant humanitarian challenges. The earthquake, which had a depth of 7.673 km and occurred at coordinates (21.1538, 96.0055), was centered approximately 34 km north-northeast of Meiktila, a city in Mandalay Region 2 5.
Extent of Damage
The earthquake had a severe impact across central Myanmar, particularly in junta-controlled areas. Sagaing, Tada-U, Mandalay, Myittha, Kyaukse, Pyawbwe, Naypyitaw, Pyinmana, and Taungoo were among the hardest-hit regions 1. The hardest-hit area stretches approximately 350 km along the Sagaing Fault from Sagaing to Taungoo 1.
Infrastructure Damage
The earthquake caused substantial damage to infrastructure, including government buildings, military facilities, and civilian structures. In Naypyitaw, the war office headquarters and surrounding government offices suffered significant damage, with reports indicating fatalities among government employees and their families 1. The secret underground command center beneath the war office headquarters, known as the “Secret Tunnels,” was also damaged, although it has been externally secured and communication equipment retrieved to the extent possible 1.
In Mandalay, the Central Command headquarters in Mandalay Palace experienced extensive damage, with over 200 people injured and interrogation blocks wrecked by the earthquake. Approximately 70 percent of the structures in the palace compound collapsed, resulting in significant casualties among soldiers and civilians 1. The 33rd Light Infantry Division in Sagaing and Shan Te Airbase in Meiktila were also affected, leading to casualties among soldiers 1.
Humanitarian Challenges
The earthquake resulted in a significant loss of life, with over 3,320 deaths reported in Mandalay Region alone. Many high-rise buildings developed visible damage, and more than 17,637 homes were damaged across the region. The Dokhtawaddy Bridge crossing the Myitnge River near Inwa collapsed, and several mosques in Mandalay were severely damaged, including 10 that collapsed, resulting in over 400 deaths 2.
Emergency response efforts have been hindered by communication breakdowns and ongoing rescue operations. The regime has imposed a news blackout on damage to its infrastructure, making it difficult to determine the precise extent of military losses 1. However, reports from independent media and military defectors indicate significant damage to military facilities, including the Central Command headquarters in Mandalay Palace and the 33rd Light Infantry Division in Sagaing 1.
Restoration Efforts
Restoration efforts are underway to repair damaged railway infrastructure. The Union Minister for Transport and Communications, General Mya Tun Oo, visited several railway sites damaged by the earthquake, including Bridge No. 677 and Samone Station. The minister instructed to expedite necessary restoration work to ensure safe train passage and provided temporary shelter and food supplies to railway workers 3.
Economic Impact
The earthquake is expected to have severe economic implications for Myanmar. The regime will need to spend billions of kyats on repairs, which could push the regime into a full-fledged budget crisis. The region's vulnerable structures and lack of effective seismic codes for most buildings exacerbate the situation, making it challenging to estimate the scale of the damage accurately 1 4.
Conclusion
The magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck central Myanmar on March 28, 2025, has left a trail of destruction and significant humanitarian challenges. The extent of damage to infrastructure, including military facilities, and the loss of life underscore the severity of the disaster. Ongoing restoration efforts and economic implications highlight the need for comprehensive support and planning to mitigate the effects of such disasters in the future.