A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck parts of Asia early Monday morning, triggering a severe regional emergency. The tremor affected large portions of southern China, northern Thailand, and Myanmar, causing widespread destruction and panic.

The epicenter was located in a mountainous area along the border between China’s Yunnan Province and Myanmar, striking at approximately 3:42 a.m. local time. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake occurred at a shallow depth of about 10 kilometers, intensifying its surface impact.

Preliminary reports indicate that dozens of people have lost their lives, hundreds are injured, and many remain trapped under debris. Emergency teams are working urgently to locate survivors and clear rubble in affected communities. The scale of damage has prompted swift mobilization of national and regional rescue resources.

In northern Thailand, cities such as Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai experienced strong shaking, prompting authorities to carry out mass evacuations. Residents were instructed to stay in safe zones as officials assessed the risk of aftershocks and potential building instability.

Across the impacted areas, emergency services have set up temporary shelters and are distributing medical aid, food, and water. Local hospitals, many operating beyond capacity, continue to treat the wounded while coordinating with national disaster response agencies.

Efforts to reach remote communities have been complicated by power outages, damaged infrastructure, and disrupted communication networks. Rescue teams are using all available resources to restore access and deliver humanitarian assistance as quickly as possible.