Panic and chaos erupted at Myanmar’s Naypyitaw International Airport on Friday as the powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck, causing major destruction, including the collapse of the air traffic control tower. A video captured the moment terrified passengers and airport staff ran for safety as parts of the roof caved in and smoke filled the air.
Satellite images analysed by The Associated Press confirmed that the earthquake toppled the airport’s control tower, which had managed all air traffic in the capital. The structure appeared to have been sheared from its base, with debris scattered across the area. It remains unclear whether there were casualties among those inside the tower when it collapsed, but the disaster effectively halted air traffic operations in the city. Flights carrying rescue teams from China were diverted to Yangon instead of Naypyitaw and Mandalay, the worst-hit regions.
The death toll from the 7.7-magnitude earthquake surged past 1,000 as rescuers uncovered more victims from the rubble. The military-led government reported at least 1,002 fatalities, 2,376 injuries, and 30 missing persons, warning that figures could rise as assessments continue. The quake, which struck on Friday near Mandalay, was followed by several powerful aftershocks, including one measuring 6.4. Buildings crumbled, roads buckled, bridges collapsed, and a dam burst, worsening the devastation.
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In Naypyitaw, crews worked to clear debris and restore services, but electricity, phone, and internet connections remained largely down. Some areas, particularly government housing blocks, were cordoned off by authorities. The impact extended beyond Myanmar, with tremors felt across Thailand. In Bangkok, at least 10 people were confirmed dead, with many others injured or missing, mostly from a collapsed construction site. Emergency teams used heavy machinery to sift through the debris, while families of the missing clung to hope for survivors.
The earthquake struck along the Sagaing Fault, a major seismic zone dividing the India and Sunda plates. Experts estimated that a 200-kilometre section of the fault had ruptured, causing intense ground shaking, particularly in areas where buildings were made of timber and unreinforced masonry. Seismologist Brian Baptie warned that disasters of this scale in densely populated areas often lead to catastrophic consequences.
Myanmar’s ongoing civil war has made relief efforts more challenging. The military continued its attacks in conflict zones, with airstrikes reported in Kayin and Shan states, even after the earthquake. Aid groups struggled to reach affected communities, with millions already displaced by fighting. International rescue missions are underway, with China, Russia, India, and Malaysia sending personnel and supplies. The UN has allocated $5 million for immediate relief efforts.
Survivors described the terror of the quake, with one tourist in Bangkok recalling the moment the ground shook beneath him. “Everyone was screaming and running, so I started screaming as well,” he said. In Myanmar, residents pleaded for aid as they faced the grim reality of widespread destruction. “We need help,” said a man in Mandalay. “We don’t have enough of anything.”
With communications still disrupted and rescue operations ongoing, the full extent of the disaster is only beginning to emerge.
