By: Camp Correspondent
March 28, 2025 | Myanmar
A powerful earthquake devastated central Myanmar on March 28, causing widespread destruction and triggering mass casualties, particularly during Friday Jumu’ah prayers, when a mosque in Myinbet Ward, Pyawbwe Township, collapsed on worshippers.
According to eyewitnesses, over 50 people were killed on the spot in the mosque collapse alone. The tremor struck just as the Friday sermon was underway, burying an entire congregation under the rubble.
Rescue teams have so far recovered dozens of bodies, and the death toll is feared to rise into the hundreds or even thousands, as many remain trapped.
Religious Tragedy Amid National Disaster
The mosque collapse is among the deadliest single incidents reported since the quake hit. Worshippers, gathered peacefully for Friday prayers, were caught completely off guard as the structure crumbled.
A local resident who survived the collapse said:
“There were cries from under the rubble, people calling out for help. We pulled out as many as we could, but so many didn’t make it.”
Similar scenes were reported in other towns and villages, where many mosques and religious buildings were full of worshippers when the earthquake struck.
Nationwide Destruction, Hundreds Dead
The junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, confirmed that at least 144 people have died across the country and over 732 have been injured, including 96 deaths in Naypyidaw, 30 in Kyaukse, and 18 in Sagaing. However, local reports suggest that the actual figures are much higher.
Hospitals are overwhelmed, and thousands have been left homeless. Entire communities have lost homes, loved ones, and places of worship in a matter of seconds.
The authorities have declared a state of emergency and appealed for international aid. Rescue operations are ongoing, but limited by destroyed roads, communication blackouts, and the lack of proper equipment.
Grief and Solidarity Across Communities
Despite decades of division and discrimination, communities across religious and ethnic lines are expressing solidarity with the victims—particularly with the Muslim families who lost loved ones during Jumu’ah prayers.
A Rohingya elder in Maungdaw told Rohingya Khobor:
“This disaster struck people in prayer, in the house of Allah. It is heartbreaking. We grieve with the families, and we pray that the dead are granted peace and the survivors are given strength.”
Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations have called for the equitable distribution of aid, warning that minority communities, including Muslims and displaced people, may be left out of official relief efforts.
Calls for Justice and Compassion
Human rights groups are urging international aid organizations to ensure access to affected areas without political interference.
They have also demanded that mosque collapses and mass casualties among worshippers not be ignored, as Myanmar continues to face religious discrimination even during national crises.
As Myanmar reels from this catastrophe, the memory of those who perished in prayer stands as a stark reminder of human fragility—and the need for unity, compassion, and justice in the face of tragedy.
