PHOTOS: From Bangkok to Mandalay, scenes of destruction from a deadly quake

Rescuers search for survivors after 7.7 magnitude earthquake kills dozens in Myanmar and Thailand.

By RFA staff

A massive earthquake rocked the heart of mainland Southeast Asia on Friday, causing deadly destruction in Myanmar and in the Thai capital.

The magnitude 7.7 quake struck at 12:50 p.m. Myanmar time. Buildings collapsed across a swath of central Myanmar, a country already reeling from four years of civil war since a military coup.

In neighboring Thailand, water tumbled from swimming pools situated on skyscrapers in Bangkok, and a high-rise construction site pancaked, leaving dozens of people trapped inside.

Workers run from a building as it collapses at a construction site in Bangkok, during an earthquake in central Myanmar.
photo-earthquake-myanmar-thailand-bangkok Workers run from a building as it collapses at a construction site in Bangkok, during an earthquake in central Myanmar. (Khon Su Cheevit Adeet Mai Suay Rok Na via AFP)
Volunteers look for survivors at a damaged building after an earthquake in Naypyidaw, Myanmar.
photo-earthquake-myanmar-thailand-bangkok Volunteers look for survivors at a damaged building after an earthquake in Naypyidaw, Myanmar. (Aung Shine Oo/AP)
A worker in Bangkok reacts near a site of a collapsed building after the earthquake in neighboring Myanmar, March 28, 2025.
photo-earthquake-myanmar-thailand-bangkok A worker in Bangkok reacts near a site of a collapsed building after the earthquake in neighboring Myanmar, March 28, 2025. (Ann Wang/Reuters)
Collapsed buildings in Mandalay, Myanmar, after an earthquake, March 28, 2025.
photo-earthquake-myanmar-thailand-bangkok Collapsed buildings in Mandalay, Myanmar, after an earthquake, March 28, 2025. (AFP)
Damaged stupas are seen after earthquake, March 28, 2025, in Naypyidaw, Myanmar.
photo-earthquake-myanmar-thailand-bangkok Damaged stupas are seen after earthquake, March 28, 2025, in Naypyidaw, Myanmar. (Aung Shine Oo/AP)
Rescue workers in Bangkok walk past the debris of a construction site after a building collapsed on March 28, 2025, following an earthquake in Myanmar.
photo-earthquake-myanmar-thailand-bangkok Rescue workers in Bangkok walk past the debris of a construction site after a building collapsed on March 28, 2025, following an earthquake in Myanmar. (Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP)
A damaged building after earthquake, March 28, 2025, in Naypyidaw, Myanmar.
photo-earthquake-myanmar-thailand-bangkok A damaged building after earthquake, March 28, 2025, in Naypyidaw, Myanmar. (Aung Shine Oo/AP)
A woman in Bangkok stands outside a building after a strong earthquake struck central Myanmar, March 28, 2025.
photo-earthquake-myanmar-thailand-bangkok A woman in Bangkok stands outside a building after a strong earthquake struck central Myanmar, March 28, 2025. (Chalinee Thirasupa/Reuters)
People in Bangkok gather on the street after a strong earthquake struck central Myanmar, March 28, 2025.
photo-earthquake-myanmar-thailand-bangkok People in Bangkok gather on the street after a strong earthquake struck central Myanmar, March 28, 2025. (Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters)
Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra arrives at a construction site where a building collapsed in Bangkok on March 28, 2025, after an earthquake in Myanmar.
photo-earthquake-myanmar-thailand-bangkok Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra arrives at a construction site where a building collapsed in Bangkok on March 28, 2025, after an earthquake in Myanmar. (Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP)
Myanmar's military chief Min Aung Hlaing arrives to meet earthquake survivors gathered at a hospital in Naypyidaw on March 28, 2025, after an earthquake in central Myanmar.
photo-earthquake-myanmar-thailand-bangkok Myanmar's military chief Min Aung Hlaing arrives to meet earthquake survivors gathered at a hospital in Naypyidaw on March 28, 2025, after an earthquake in central Myanmar. (Sai Aung Main/AFP)
A building collapses in Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 28, 2025, during an earthquake.
photo-earthquake-myanmar-thailand-bangkok A building collapses in Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 28, 2025, during an earthquake. (AFP)
People stand at the site of a collapsed building in Bangkok after a strong earthquake struck central Myanmar, March 28, 2025.
photo-earthquake-myanmar-thailand-bangkok People stand at the site of a collapsed building in Bangkok after a strong earthquake struck central Myanmar, March 28, 2025. (Ann Wang/Reuters)
A rescuer worker at a collapsed building in Naypyidaw, March 28, 2025, following an earthquake in central Myanmar.
photo-earthquake-myanmar-thailand-bangkok A rescuer worker at a collapsed building in Naypyidaw, March 28, 2025, following an earthquake in central Myanmar. (Sai Aung Main/AFP)