Satellite images show the widespread destruction in Myanmar after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake
Satellite images show the destruction in Myanmar after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocked the country killing more than 1,600 people.
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SAI AUNG MAIN/AFP via Getty Images
- A 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocked Myanmar on March 29, destroying the city of Mandalay.
- More than 1,600 people are confirmed dead after the earthquake, Myanmar's military said on Saturday.
- Satellite photos show the destruction of dozens of collapsed buildings and Buddhist Pagodas.
A massive earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, causing widespread destruction and over 1,600 causalities.
The Red Cross said several cities in central Myanmar were damaged in the 7.7 magnitude earthquake, including Mandalay, where buildings have toppled, roads are fractured, and a bridge has collapsed. The rumbles were also felt in Thailand's capital city, Bangkok.
Myanmar's military council said the country's death toll has reached 1,644 and counted over 3,400 injured civilians, according to BBC's Burmese news service. An alert issued by the US Geological Survey on Friday estimated that the death toll would surpass 10,000.
The earthquake has prompted several countries to offer humanitarian aid, including Russia and China. President Donald Trump said the US will also assist Myanmar, the outlet reported.
Satellite images collected by Maxar, an American space technologies company, show the Mandalay region before and after the earthquake.
Stephen Wood/Maxar
Around 1.5 million people live in Mandalay, where the United Nations said the internet connection is currently down.
Much of Myanmar has been embroiled in a civil war since 2021 when military authorities staged a government coup. Despite the ongoing tensions, the military has requested international emergency assistance.
The National Unity Group, which opposes Myanmar's military government, announced a temporary pause on military offenses, excluding defensive actions, to help with rescue operations.
Stephen Wood/Maxar
Over 2,400 buildings were damaged amid the earthquake, the United Nations said.
"Around 1,690 houses, 670 monasteries, 60 schools, and three bridges are reported to be damaged, with concerns for the structural integrity of large-scale dams," the organization said.
The United Nations said health partners will deploy mobile surgical and medical teams — in addition to field hospitals — to affected areas "to deliver life and limb-saving medical interventions to earthquake victims."
Stephen Wood/Maxar
The Buddhist pagoda is found in Mandalay and is known for housing a large, gold Buddha statue.
Stephen Wood/Maxar
The pagoda sustained damage from the earthquake.
More than 270 monks were gathered at the Mahamuni Pagoda in Mandalay when the earthquake began, according to Nation Thailand, an English language daily newspaper in bordering Thailand.
Stephen Wood/Maxar
Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government said in a statement posted on X that "numerous homes, buildings, pagodas, mosques, temples, schools, and bridges collapsed," resulting in thousands of deaths.
Stephen Wood/Maxar
Several countries, including Russia and China, have sent relief efforts to Myanmar, The Associated Press reported.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said $5 million has been allocated for "life-saving assistance," according to the AP report.
Stephen Wood/Maxar
The Buddhist pagoda is in Sagaing, a city east of Mandalay.
Stephen Wood/Maxar
Following the earthquake, the Associated Press reported that Myanmar's military government conducted three airstrikes in the country. The United Nations said one airstrike impacted the Sagaing region.
Stephen Wood/Maxar
The Irrawaddy River separates the Sagaing region and the Mandalay region in Myanmar.
Stephen Wood/Maxar
The earthquake caused the bridge to collapse into the Irrawaddy River and fracture in several places.
