A powerful earthquake struck early in the morning, shaking parts of Myanmar, southern China, and northern Thailand. The quake measured magnitude 7.7 and hit around 3:42 a.m. local time, triggering widespread alarm.

Its epicenter was located in a mountainous area near the Myanmar–China border close to Yunnan province. Because it was shallow, the quake had a stronger surface impact, increasing damage in nearby towns and rural areas.

In Myanmar, Lashio was among the hardest-hit cities, with buildings collapsing while residents were asleep. Emergency teams rushed to search through rubble as casualties and injuries quickly increased.

Authorities declared a state of emergency in several regions, and hospitals became overwhelmed with injured residents. The tremor was also strongly felt in China and northern Thailand, where people fled swaying buildings in cities like Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai.

Aftershocks continued, raising fears of further collapses and complicating rescue efforts. Survivors described panic and chaos, with many fleeing homes for open spaces. The disaster has left widespread destruction and uncertainty as search-and-rescue operations continue.