A devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck parts of Asia early Monday morning, resulting in extensive destruction across southern China, northern Thailand, and Myanmar.

The earthquake occurred at 3:42 a.m. local time, with its epicenter situated in a mountainous region along the China–Myanmar border, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. It struck at a shallow depth of around 10 kilometers, which amplified its destructive effects.

Initial reports suggest that dozens have lost their lives, hundreds have sustained injuries, and many individuals remain trapped under collapsed structures. Rescue teams are urgently working to find survivors, but their efforts are being hampered by debris and damage to infrastructure.

Cities in northern Thailand, including Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, felt significant tremors. Authorities have implemented mass evacuations due to the potential for aftershocks and the risk of structural failure.