Unanswered phones and a desperate wait outside the shattered Bangkok high-rise toppled by Myanmar quake

CNN - Mar 29th, 2025
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A catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake originating in Myanmar caused severe damage and fatalities across Southeast Asia, including in Thailand's capital, Bangkok. The quake, which struck on Friday, led to the collapse of an under-construction skyscraper in Bangkok, killing at least 10 people and leaving dozens trapped or missing. Myanmar reported over 700 deaths, with estimates suggesting the toll could exceed 10,000. The tremors caused significant structural damage throughout Bangkok, with engineers assessing nearly 1,000 reports of concerns across the city.

The earthquake's epicenter in Myanmar's Sagaing region, near the city of Mandalay, compounded the challenges faced by the war-torn nation, already battling civil unrest and infrastructure deficiencies. The Myanmar military government, known for its troubled history in disaster response, has issued a call for international aid. Meanwhile, the quake's impact on Thailand's construction sector underscores the vulnerabilities in regions not typically prone to seismic activity. The involvement of major construction companies like the China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group and Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited in the collapsed Bangkok building highlights potential issues in construction practices and regulatory oversight.

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RATING

7.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive and timely account of the earthquake's impact on Myanmar and Thailand, with a strong focus on human stories and structural damage. It effectively uses credible sources and descriptive language to convey the gravity of the situation. While the piece is generally balanced and transparent, it could benefit from more context about the region's seismic activity and the political challenges in Myanmar. Overall, the article succeeds in informing and engaging readers about a significant natural disaster and its broader implications.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story accurately reports on the occurrence of a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar and its impact on Thailand. The details about the quake's effects, such as the death toll in Myanmar and the structural damage in Bangkok, are consistent with available information. However, some figures, like the projected death toll in Myanmar, rely on estimates, which introduces a degree of uncertainty. The involvement of the China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group and the Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited in the collapsed building project is also well-documented, though the deletion of a related social media post suggests potential issues with transparency.

7
Balance

The article provides a balanced view by covering the impacts in both Myanmar and Thailand. It highlights the human element through personal stories of those affected, like Junpen Kaewnoi's account, while also addressing the broader structural and governmental responses. However, the piece focuses more on the immediate aftermath and less on the long-term implications or the perspectives of local authorities in Myanmar, which could have added depth.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly written, effectively conveying the gravity of the situation. It uses descriptive language to illustrate the earthquake's impact, such as the imagery of skyscrapers swaying and infinity pools overflowing. The personal stories add emotional depth, making the narrative engaging and accessible. However, the inclusion of more background information about the region's seismic activity could improve clarity for readers unfamiliar with the topic.

8
Source quality

The article cites credible sources such as the United States Geological Survey (USGS) for earthquake details and casualty estimates. It also references statements from local officials and companies involved in the construction project. However, the reliance on a now-deleted social media post for information about the construction company introduces a potential weakness in source reliability.

7
Transparency

The article is generally transparent in its reporting, clearly attributing information to sources like the USGS and local officials. It acknowledges the deletion of a social media post, which suggests an attempt to maintain transparency about the challenges in verifying some details. However, more context about the difficulties in obtaining information from Myanmar due to its political situation could enhance transparency.

Sources

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Sagaing_earthquake