7.7-Magnitude Earthquake Devastates Central Myanmar

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay at 12:50 PM local time on March 28, 2025, followed 12 minutes later by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock. The earthquake devastated Mandalay, Sagaing, and surrounding regions — already battered by four years of civil war. Death toll estimates ranged from 3,500 (junta official) to over 5,000 (independent media). Historic pagodas, bridges, and hospital infrastructure collapsed. The earthquake struck the same regions that had suffered the most from SAC village burning campaigns.