Damage to historic sites in Myanmar and Thailand after 7.7 magnitude earthquake

Following the powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake and a 6.7 aftershock in Myanmar, the death toll has risen to 3,000, with many others still missing. The destruction to buildings and infrastructure is extensive, and photos shared from Myanmar’s historic and cultural landmarks reveal significant damage caused by the quake.

One video shows the collapse of the tower at the Shwe Sar Yan Pagoda, a revered Buddhist site near Mandalay. Additionally, photos from the Associated Press show damage to several pagodas in the capital, Nay Pyi Taw.

The earthquake’s epicenter was near Bagan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its 2,200 temples and monuments dating back to the 11th to 13th centuries. This area had already sustained partial damage from a previous earthquake in 2016.

According to the World Monuments Fund (WMF), efforts are ongoing to gather information about the condition of the structures at Bagan. The organization is also collecting data on infrastructure impacts in both Myanmar and Thailand. In their statement, WMF noted that a 17th-century temple in Ayutthaya, previously considered at risk, remained unharmed. A team is currently assessing the site in response to the recent tremors.

Additionally, damage has been confirmed at the world-renowned Wat Pho temple in Bangkok, home to the famous reclining Buddha. The WMF emphasized the urgent need for further technical assessments of all affected historic sites.