Vietnamese leaders extend condolences over devastating earthquake in Myanmar

THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnamese leaders have extended their condolences to the leaders of Thailand and Myanmar following the devastating earthquake that caused significant casualties and property damage.

President Luong Cuong sent a message of sympathy to Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn while Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh conveyed condolences to Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Additionally, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man sent a message of condolence to Speaker of Thailand’s House of Representatives Wan Muhamad Noor Matha.

On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son expressed sympathy to Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Swe.

The massive earthquake striking the Sagaing Region of Myanmar with an epicenter close to the second largest city of Mandalay and shaking Thailand resulted in severe damage to infrastructure, collapsed buildings, toppling structures, and triggering landslides in rural areas.

Myanmar’s military government leader announced on national television that the disaster claimed at least 144 lives and caused injuries to 730 others. The casualty count is expected to rise in the coming days.

In Thailand, the tremors were felt in many provinces, including Chiang Mai and Bangkok, causing panic among residents. So far, no reports of casualties released, some buildings sustained structural damage and authorities remain on high alert for aftershocks.

World Health Organization's Spokeswoman Margaret Harris said at a media briefing that the earthquake was a “very, very big threat to life and health.” They have activated logistics hub to look particularly for trauma supplies and things as they expect that there will be many injuries to be dealt with.

Rescue operations are ongoing with emergency teams working to assess the full extent of the disaster.

Preliminary reports indicate extensive structural damage across Myanmar, affecting apartment buildings, hospitals, schools, and government offices. Several school buildings collapsed, with an unknown number of students trapped beneath the rubble.

In Thailand, the earthquake's impact was severe. Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed that at least three workers died when a 30-story building under construction in Bangkok collapsed. The number of people trapped under the debris has risen to 81, nearly double the initial estimate of 43.

The Vietnam News Agency's reporters in Southeast Asia said that Phumtham visited the collapse site in Bangkok’s Chatuchak District, overseeing urgent rescue operations. Thai military and emergency response teams have been mobilized to support nationwide relief efforts. Army Commander-in-Chief General Pana Claewplodtook convened an emergency meeting to coordinate rescue missions, deploying medical teams and equipment from military hospitals.

Key government agencies have been asked to take immediate action. The Ministry of Education ordered nationwide school closures while the Ministry of Health set up emergency response centers to assess hospital damage. The Interior Ministry directed provincial leaders to activate command centers for risk monitoring and public communication.

Given Bangkok’s unstable soil conditions, authorities are conducting structural inspections of hospitals, schools, and religious sites to detect potential risks and prevent further incidents.

Shortly after the disaster, Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has directed its diplomatic missions in Thailand and Myanmar to promptly assess the situation of Vietnamese citizens. According to preliminary reports from these missions, no Vietnamese nationals have been affected by the earthquake so far.

Hotlines are available for support: The Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar: +95 966088 8998, email: vnembmyr2012@gmail.com; The Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand: +66898966653, email: vnemb.th@mofa.gov.vn; The Foreign Affairs' citizen protection hotline: +84.981.84.84.84.