Myanmar, Thailand Earthquake: Over 150 dead, 732 injured; Bangkok declares disaster zone with 81 trapped

Pope Francis offered his prayers for the victims of the powerful earthquake that hit Myanmar and Thailand, the Vatican press office said. In a telegram published by the Vatican, Francis said he was “deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread devastation” caused by the earthquake.

Myanmar quake toll 144 dead, 732 injured, expected to rise, AFP reported citing Junta chief.

The WHO said it had triggered its emergency management system in response to Friday's "huge" earthquake in Myanmar and was mobilising its logistics hub in Dubai to prepare trauma injury supplies.

The World Health Organization is coordinating its earthquake response from its Geneva headquarters "because we see this as a huge event" with "clearly a very, very big threat to life and health", spokeswoman Margaret Harris told a media briefing.

Three people died after the building they were working on in Bangkok collapsed, the Thailand National Institute for Emergency Medicine said.

In an update on Facebook, Thai officials said that 68 others were injured and have been taken to the hospital.

Five people are in critical condition, the organisation added.

Meanwhile, 81 construction workers from the site are still trapped under the rubble of the building, according to the country's deputy prime minister.

About 20 people have died at a major hospital in Myanmar's capital news agency AFP reported, citing a doctor.

"About 20 people died after they arrived at our hospital so far. Many people were injured," said the doctor at the 1,000-bed general hospital in Naypyidaw, who requested anonymity told AFP.

Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have called for Myanmar’s military junta to allow humanitarian access to areas affected by the earthquake. 

"The military has an appalling history of blocking aid following natural disasters, depriving people of assistance and increasing the suffering of communities affected,” said Bryony Lau, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch as cited by The Guardian.

The number of workers missing at a collapsed construction site of a high-rise building in Thailand's capital, Bangkok, has risen to 81 from 70. 

The government said that emergency rescue response is underway and and disaster centres have been ordered to prepare relief equipment and machinery.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said that the European Union was ready to help after a deadly earthquake hit Myanmar and Thailand.

“Heartbreaking scenes from Myanmar and Thailand after the devastating earthquake. My thoughts are with the victims and their families,” von der Leyen wrote on X.

She added, "Europe’s Copernicus satellites are already helping first responders. We are ready to provide more support.”

France also vowed support, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot saying, "We are ready to provide support as soon as the need has been expressed and we have evacuated our premises in Bangkok to guard against any form of risk."

Thai deputy PM Prasert Jantararuangtong announced the country’s telecommunication system had been disrupted after the earthquake, Bloomberg reported. 

Thailand's transport ministry also ordered the suspension of public transportation services, including buses and electric trains.

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit central Myanmar on Friday (March 28), with the epicentre located near the city of Mandalay, rocking neighbouring Thailand and other regions in South and Southeast Asia. Dozens are dead,  multi-storey buildings and bridges collapsed, and people panicked in Bangkok in Thailand, Delhi-NCR in India and other cities and towns. 

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