Something strange is happening deep beneath the earth’s surface — and the planet just sent a terrifying message. Just hours ago, a violent 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck near the China–Myanmar border, leaving experts stunned at its sudden ferocity. No warning, no time to prepare — just a violent rupture that turned quiet towns into disaster zones within minutes. Could this be part of a larger chain of seismic events yet to come? Scientists are rushing to find out as rescuers scramble to save lives in the aftermath.
As the first light of morning spread across Asia, disaster struck without mercy. A massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake ripped through the region near the China–Myanmar border, jolting millions awake and unleashing chaos. What started as a faint rumble quickly escalated into violent shaking, collapsing buildings, tearing open roads, and sending terrified residents into the streets.
Police personnel and others gather as firemen try to douse a fire breaking out in a cluster of huts near Rithala metro station at Rohini area in New Delhi early Saturday. PTI Photo A man died and another sustained burn injuries after a massive fire broke out spreading to around 500 shanties near Rithala metro station in Delhi’s Rohini, the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) said. Police said several LPG cylinders were said to have exploded late Friday evening, intensifying the blaze and triggering panic among residents.
Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from the area even as locals scrambled to save their belongings and move to safer places. Preliminary information suggests that 400 to 500 huts have been gutted, fire officials said. The DFS said it received a call regarding the blaze at 10.56 pm, following which multiple fire tenders and firefighting robots were rushed to the spot.
Police cordoned off the area and additional fire tenders were kept on standby to prevent the fire from spreading further. The fire was brought under control by early morning, a DFS official said.
Munna died in the fire while Rajesh was injured in the incident. Within moments, the landscape transformed. Once peaceful towns became scenes of destruction — debris-strewn streets, crumbled homes, and frightened families gathering in open spaces. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake’s epicenter just 10 kilometers below the surface — shallow enough to cause maximum damage. Tremors rippled far beyond the border, reaching southern China, northern Thailand, large parts of Myanmar. Panic spread like wildfire. In cities like Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, residents poured out of buildings barefoot, clutching children, as aftershocks rattled the ground. Emergency sirens wailed as reports of fatalities and injuries began flooding in. Authorities confirmed dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries within hours, with many more feared trapped under collapsed structures.
Rescue crews worked frantically through the debris, hampered by blocked roads, widespread power outages, and damaged communication networks. Humanitarian teams have mobilized rapidly, setting up makeshift shelters, delivering medical aid, and coordinating evacuation efforts. Relief agencies are calling for urgent international support to help the hardest-hit areas as the full scale of the devastation becomes clearer. Conclusion: This catastrophic quake has left a scar stretching across three countries — a stark reminder of nature’s raw power. The next few hours will decide how many lives can still be saved, as rescuers race against time and aftershocks. The world is now watching closely. Will nations rally together to deliver the aid needed, or will this tragedy deepen before help arrives? For the survivors, every passing moment counts.
