On March 28, 2025, at approximately 12:50 PM local time, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake impacted central Myanmar, with its epicenter located close to Mandalay, the second-largest city of Myanmar. A strong 6.7-magnitude aftershock followed approximately eleven minutes following the initial tremor. The earthquake affected a wide area across Southeast Asia, with significant damage reported across the rest of Myanmar and in Thailand.
Communication networks and electrical infrastructure in Myanmar suffered significant damage, complicating assessment and relief efforts. Many residents in affected areas, particularly in Mandalay, were forced to evacuate their homes and sleep outdoors due to fears of aftershocks and unstable buildings. In Thailand, Prime Minister of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra issued a declaration deeming Bangkok as an "emergency area" and urged residents to evacuate tall buildings as a precaution against aftershocks. The city's mass transit systems, including the elevated Skytrain and subway, were temporarily closed following the earthquake. Videos captured dramatic scenes of water surging from rooftop swimming pools atop high-rise buildings throughout the city.
According to the official data released by the State Administration Council on April 13, 2025, over 9,600 religious buildings were destroyed due to the earthquake. This includes 5,402 pagodas, 3,841 monasteries, 187 nun monasteries, 136 mosques, 50 churches, 26 Hindu temples, and 1 Chinese temple.