India offers help to Thailand and Myanmar after earthquake disaster

Rescue teams operate at a construction site where a building collapsed in Bangkok on March 28, 2025, after an earthquake. A powerful earthquake killed more than 20 people across Myanmar and Thailand on March 28, toppling buildings and bridges and trapping over 80 workers in an under-construction skyscraper in Bangkok. - Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP

NEW DELHI (dpa):  India has offered to help earthquake victims in Myanmar and Thailand, after a quake with a 7.7 magnitude struck the region on Friday.

"India stands ready to offer all possible assistance," Modi wrote on X. He said he has asked "our authorities to be on standby."

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake was measured at a magnitude of 7.7, though readings from other services have varied. USGS said the epicentre was about 16 kilometres from the city of Sagaing in north-western Myanmar.

It was also felt in parts of Bangladesh and India, according to media reports.

In the Indian state of Manipur, which borders Myanmar, The Economic Times newspaper reported that panic broke out among residents of the western district of the regional capital Imphal. However, there were no initial reports of any damage. The tremors were also felt in Kolkata.

The Daily Star and other Bangladeshi newspapers reported that tremors were felt in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. There have so far been no reports of damage there.-dpa