In brief
On March 29, 2025, Myanmar was struck by a powerful earthquake that severely damaged numerous historic sites and religious structures, including pagodas and mosques. Government reports indicate over 3,000 buildings have been affected, with many casualties reported.
A devastating earthquake rocked Myanmar on Friday, leading to extensive damage to the country’s historic and religious heritage. According to reports verified by The New York Times, the quake caused the collapse of numerous pagodas, monasteries, and ancient monuments, resulting in significant casualties. By Saturday morning, authorities had reported that more than 3,000 buildings were damaged, including approximately 150 mosques and pagodas.The quake’s epicenter was near Mandalay, where the 200-year-old Me Nu Brick Monastery faced near destruction, with parts of its distinctive architecture crumbling. Videos from the region captured the shocking moment when the gilded spire of the Shwe Sar Yan Pagoda collapsed, as panicked spectators looked on. In Mandalay city, a prominent pagoda on palace walls became dangerously tilted, while parts of the palace structure itself were reported to have fallen.Witnesses also described scenes of devastation in nearby areas. At the New Masoeyein Monastery, a five-story building crumbled as gathered monks watched in horror. Many were forced to sleep outdoors on Friday evening due to safety concerns. The Burma Human Rights Network documented the destruction of mosques, with local reporting indicating that as many as 490 individuals lost their lives when these structures collapsed.Locations further from the epicenter, such as Pindaya, also experienced significant damage, with stupas and other important Buddhist monuments severely impacted, furthering a sense of despair among residents. One local administrator lamented the extent of the damage, expressing uncertainty on how the monastery would be restored given its historical significance.Despite experiencing similar earthquakes in the past, residents noted the unprecedented severity of this event. The situation is compounded by the military junta's governance in Myanmar, which has struggled to manage the fallout from both civil strife and natural disasters, raising concerns about the possibility of a cohesive reconstruction effort in the aftermath of the quake. Observers are reminded of Nepal’s post-earthquake recovery efforts in 2015, which were initially stifled by bureaucracy, leaving many to speculate about Myanmar’s path forward in this crisis.
