A chilling video captured the moment a massive crane toppled from an under-construction building in Bangkok as a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck, leaving destruction in its wake. The powerful tremor, which hit near Mandalay at midday, reduced buildings to rubble, caused a dam to burst, and left roads cracked and impassable.
At least 144 people have been killed, with hundreds more injured, as emergency crews struggle to reach those trapped in some of the hardest-hit areas in Myanmar. The quake, followed by a strong 6.4-magnitude aftershock, sent shockwaves as far as neighbouring Thailand, where terrified residents fled high-rises swaying under the violent tremors.
Also read: Myanmar Earthquake Live Updates
The footage, widely circulated on social media, shows the moment the towering crane detached from the building as tremors shook the structure. Witnesses could be heard screaming as the crane plummeted, sending debris cascading onto the streets below. The collapse added to the widespread devastation, with reports of multiple buildings being reduced to rubble in Mandalay and the capital Naypyidaw. A monastery and a 90-year-old bridge were also destroyed, while a dam burst, flooding low-lying areas.
Myanmar’s military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, confirmed in a televised address that the death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams struggle to reach affected areas. The country’s already dire humanitarian situation has been exacerbated by damaged roads and power outages, making relief efforts even more challenging.
Across the border in Thailand, tremors were felt as far as Bangkok, where a 33-storey building under construction collapsed. At least three workers were killed, and dozens remain missing under the rubble. Dramatic scenes unfolded as onlookers fled in panic, with sirens wailing across the city. The elevated transit system and subway were shut down, while emergency teams worked to locate survivors. A government official described the scene as “catastrophic,” warning that further aftershocks could worsen the damage.
The earthquake, one of the strongest in the region in recent years, has left thousands homeless and in urgent need of aid. The Red Cross has appealed for emergency assistance, citing a desperate need for food, shelter, and medical supplies. Videos from Mandalay and Yangon show residents pulling survivors from collapsed structures, while others search for missing loved ones. With communications severely disrupted, authorities fear the true scale of the disaster has yet to emerge.
Myanmar’s government has declared a state of emergency in six regions, though its ongoing civil conflict complicates efforts to provide aid. International humanitarian groups have warned of worsening conditions in the coming days, as hospitals struggle to treat the injured and critical infrastructure remains in ruins.
