India acted as the "first responder" after devastating earthquakes left nearly 700 dead and over a thousand injured in Myanmar yesterday. About 15 tonnes of relief material on board an Indian Air Force cargo plane landed in Yangon this morning, as part of 'Operation Brahma' to provide relief to millions of survivors in the neighbouring country.
Indian authorities asserted that this was only the first tranche of relief, suggesting more would follow.
"Operation Brahma - India acts as a First Responder to assist the people of Myanmar affected by yesterday's massive earthquake. Our first tranche of 15 tonnes of relief material, including tents, blankets, sleeping bags, food packets, hygiene kits, generators, and essential medicines has landed in Yangon," said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson at Ministry of External Affairs.
Operation Brahma - India acts as a First Responder to assist the people of Myanmar affected by yesterday's massive earthquake.
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) March 29, 2025
Our first tranche of 15 tonnes of relief material, including tents, blankets, sleeping bags, food packets, hygiene kits, generators, and essential… pic.twitter.com/6Nx7Bez9ne
The relief material includes tents, sleeping bags, blankets, ready-to-eat meals, water purifiers, hygiene kits, solar lamps, generator sets and essential medicines, including Paracetamol, antibiotics, canula, syringes, gloves, cotton bandages, and urine bags.
The US and several other countries have also offered to assist after a call for help from Myanmar authorities.
A series of powerful earthquakes rocked Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand yesterday, leaving a trail of destruction. Several buildings collapsed, leaving people without a roof. The junta said about 694 people died in the tragedy while 1,670 were injured.
India dispatches first tranche of urgent humanitarian aid for the people of Myanmar.
Just a few hours after the earthquakes struck, India extended a helping hand with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that his government was ready to offer all assistance.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi expressed concern and prayed for the safety and well-being of all.
"Concerned by the situation in the wake of the Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Praying for the safety and wellbeing of everyone. India stands ready to offer all possible assistance. In this regard, asked our authorities to be on standby. Also asked the MEA to remain in touch with the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand," he wrote.
Concerned by the situation in the wake of the Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Praying for the safety and wellbeing of everyone. India stands ready to offer all possible assistance. In this regard, asked our authorities to be on standby. Also asked the MEA to remain in touch…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 28, 2025
Earthquake Rocks Myanmar, Thailand
The earthquake epicentre was 16km northwest of the city of Sagaing, and at a depth of 10km, the United States Geological Survey said. Flattened buildings, broken bridges and cracked roads were seen across Myanmar.
Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said 144 people had been killed, with 732 confirmed injured, but warned the toll was "likely to rise".
"I would like to invite any country, any organisation, or anyone in Myanmar to come and help. Thank you," he said in a televised speech, after visiting a hospital in the capital Naypyidaw.
India sends relief material to earthquake-hit Myanmar
He urged massive relief efforts in the wake of the disaster and said he had "opened all ways for foreign aid".
A 30-storey skyscraper under construction hundreds of kilometres away in Bangkok turned into rubble within seconds as a powerful earthquake rocked Thailand.
Breaking: Video shows the moment a skyscraper under construction collapsed due to earthquake in Bangkok. pic.twitter.com/OIdxc4epKf
— PM Breaking News (@PMBreakingNews) March 28, 2025
"We see several dead bodies under the rubble. We will take time to bring the bodies out to avoid any further collapses," Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters.
Eight deaths have been confirmed so far in Thailand. However, Charnvirakul believes that with 90-100 people unaccounted for, the toll is expected to rise.
Emergency In Myanmar, Bangkok
Myanmar declared a state of emergency across the six worst-affected regions after the quake. Hundreds of casualties arrived at a major hospital in Naypyidaw, where the emergency department entrance had collapsed on a car.
An emergency zone was declared in Bangkok, where some metro and light rail services were suspended.
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