The death toll from a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand has surpassed 1,000, with rescuers desperately searching for survivors beneath collapsed buildings.

The powerful quake hit central Myanmar’s Sagaing region on Saturday afternoon, followed closely by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock. Entire buildings crumbled, bridges collapsed, and roads buckled, causing widespread destruction, particularly in Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city.

At least 1,002 people have been confirmed dead in Myanmar, with nearly 2,400 injured, according to the ruling junta. Bangkok has also reported at least 10 deaths, with the toll expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.

Myanmar Faces Unprecedented Crisis

Myanmar’s military government, which has been battling civil unrest since the 2021 coup, has declared a state of emergency in six regions. Damage to Mandalay Airport has complicated relief efforts, as the country’s healthcare and emergency response systems are already severely weakened.

For the first time in years, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing issued a rare international plea for aid, breaking from Myanmar’s history of rejecting foreign assistance after major disasters. The first relief flight from India landed in Yangon on Saturday, carrying essential supplies, while China has deployed an 82-person rescue team.

Aid agencies warn that Myanmar is unprepared for a disaster of this scale, with millions already displaced by ongoing civil war and facing severe food insecurity even before the quake struck.

Bangkok Skyscraper Collapses Amid Tremors

In Bangkok, the earthquake caused a dramatic 30-story skyscraper under construction to collapse near the bustling Chatuchak weekend market, trapping workers beneath the rubble.

At least 10 people have been confirmed dead in Thailand, but up to 100 workers remain unaccounted for. Rescue teams have deployed thermal imaging drones and have detected signs of life from at least 15 people.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said over 2,000 buildings sustained damage, with engineers now inspecting structures for safety. Hundreds of residents were forced to spend the night in open-air shelters, unable to return to their homes.

Despite the destruction, moments of resilience emerged—one surgeon completed an operation outside after evacuating a hospital, while a woman gave birth outdoors after being moved from a damaged maternity ward.

As the true scale of the disaster unfolds, emergency teams continue to battle against time, hoping to find survivors amidst the devastation.