A 7.7 magnitude earthquake was recorded in Myanmar on Friday, March 28, with tremors felt hundreds of miles away in Thailand and southwest China. The epicenter of the deadly quake was 10 miles outside of Sagaing, near the city of Mandalay, according to the United States Geological Survey. The initial earthquake, which took place around 1:20 p.m. local time was quickly followed by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock.
At least 144 people have been killed and more than 730 others were injured in Myanmar, per the the country’s military-run government. At least three people have been reported dead in Bangkok, where an under-construction skyscraper collapsed and trapped dozens of people in the rubble.
Cordelia Lynch, an Asia correspondent for Sky News, reports from Bangkok: “I’ve seen videos and pictures of bridges collapsing, pagodas and temples destroyed. And this, in a country ravaged by civil war. Getting information from there is very challenging. Getting aid in will be a huge challenge, too.”
In 2021, a military coup overthrew the National League for Democracy government in Myanmar, replacing it with the military junta in power today that remains in a deadly civil war. This means that getting information from inside Myanmar is tricky, as the “state controls almost all of local radio, television, print and online media,” the BBC reports.
Below is the latest travel guidance for Southeast Asia following the earthquake.
Is it safe to travel to Bangkok?
Thailand’s prime minister has declared Bangkok an “emergency zone” as officials warn of possible aftershocks. The US embassy in Bangkok posted a March 28 alert advising US citizens to “follow directions from local officials and building managers,” adding that “police are currently checking the safety of several structures in Bangkok.”
“There have been no reports of additional aftershock activity,” the travel alert continues. “US citizens should continue to proceed with caution watching for unstable/falling debris, downed utility lines, and not return to high-rise residences/office buildings until building management has deemed it safe to do so. Communication infrastructure remains operational, however there have been reports of public transportation outages and increased traffic congestion.”
Is it safe to travel to Myanmar?
The Mandalay International Airport is reportedly closed, according to a March 28 alert posted by the US embassy in Myanmar, which notes there are “reports of damage to structures and infrastructure—including transportation routes leading out of Mandalay and telephone connectivity.”
The embassy advises US citizens in Myanmar monitor local media for updates, notify friends and family of your safety, and seek secure shelter. Travelers should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.
Myanmar has been categorized as “Level 4: Do Not Travel” by the US Department of State since June 2024 due to civil unrest, armed conflict, and arbitrary enforcement of local laws. “The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in Burma due to security concerns amidst the ongoing armed conflict,” the travel advisory says. “Burma has limited and/or inadequate healthcare and emergency medical resources due to critical staffing shortages in the public sector health workforce.”
This is a developing news story and will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
A version of this story was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK.
