Historic Ava Bridge collapses into the Irrawaddy River during the powerful earthquake that struck both Myanmar and Thailand (video)

The Ava Bridge, also called the Old Sagaing Bridge, collapsed on the afternoon of Friday, March 28, due to a strong earthquake that struck both Myanmar and Thailand. The 91-year-old bridge, which connected the Mandalay and Sagaing regions across the Irrawaddy River, had stood since the British colonial era. However, it gave way amid the intense tremors.

The bridge was a significant landmark, as it was the only structure spanning the Irrawaddy River until the early 21st century. This changed when the government undertook a series of bridge construction projects, including the New Irrawaddy Bridge, which was completed in 2008.

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake had its epicenter near Sagaing town and caused the collapse of multiple buildings in Mandalay, Naypyitaw, and other areas. Communication networks and electrical infrastructure suffered significant damage, complicating assessment and relief efforts. Additionally, the city's mass transit systems, including the elevated Skytrain and subway, were temporarily shut down following the earthquake.