7.7-Magnitude Earthquake Devastates Parts of Asia

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck early Monday morning, causing widespread devastation across southern China, northern Thailand, and Myanmar.

The quake hit at 3:42 a.m. local time, with its epicenter located in a mountainous area along the China–Myanmar border, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It struck at a shallow depth of approximately 10 kilometers, intensifying its destructive impact.

Preliminary reports indicate dozens have died, hundreds are injured, and many remain trapped beneath collapsed buildings. Rescue crews are racing to locate survivors, but efforts are hindered by debris and infrastructure damage.

Northern Thai cities such as Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai experienced intense tremors. Authorities have ordered mass evacuations due to the risk of aftershocks and structural instability.

Emergency teams in all affected regions have mobilized rapidly to provide shelter and medical aid. Overwhelmed hospitals are struggling to treat the injured, while power outages and damaged roads complicate relief efforts.

In some areas, communication has been completely cut off, further challenging coordination among responders. Search operations are ongoing, with military and international assistance being considered.

Aftershocks continue to rattle the region, keeping communities on edge and delaying assessments of the full scale of destruction.

Governments in China, Thailand, and Myanmar have pledged unified efforts to manage the disaster response and support affected populations.

This tragedy highlights both the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters and the urgent need for preparedness and cross-border cooperation in times of crisis.