A 30-story government office building that was under construction in Bangkok collapsed on Friday, burying 43 workers, following a strong 7.7-magnitude earthquake that hit Myanmar. A state of emergency has been declared in the capital by Thai authorities, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra confirmed.

The quake, whose epicenter was northwest of Sagaing in Myanmar, rattled buildings throughout Southeast Asia. A 6.4-magnitude aftershock followed quickly, escalating the devastation.

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Bangkok Skyscraper Reduced to Rubble in Seconds

The newly under-construction northern Bangkok high-rise collapsed immediately, with a heap of wreckage and mangled metal. Rescue squads arrived quickly at the site, struggling to dig out trapped workers. Metro and light rail transport in Bangkok were suspended due to damage.

“I heard it and I was sleeping in the house, I ran as far as I could in my pyjamas out of the building,” described Duangjai, a Chiang Mai resident, on the alarm.

Buildings are Damaged Throughout the Region

In the capital, Naypyidaw, ceilings fell, roads cracked, and frightened residents evacuated buildings. At the National Museum, walls began to crack as museum officials scrambled outside, some visibly upset and crying.

“The ground shook intensely for around 30 seconds before it settled,” an AFP correspondent at the site said.

The tremors extended to Myanmar and Thailand, and reached China’s Yunnan province, where the earthquake measured 7.9 in magnitude, as per Beijing’s seismic agency.

People Remember the Most Intense Earthquake in Years

In Thailand’s northern area, panic set in the cities as people ran for their lives. Sai, a 76-year-old Chiang Mai citizen, recalled the horrifying experience.

“I quickly rushed out of the shop along with other customers. this is the strongest tremor I’ve experienced in my life,” he said.

Thai PM Calls for Urgent Response Amid Earthquake

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra cut short an official visit to Phuket to oversee emergency measures. “I have called for an urgent meeting after the quake,” she posted on X.

Authorities are still evaluating the extent of the damage as rescue teams scour the crashed skyscraper for survivors. The extent of the casualties is yet to be determined, but the earthquake has left a trail of devastation throughout the region.