Myanmar Earthquake Devastates Historic and Religious Sites

The powerful earthquake that hit Myanmar on Friday has caused significant damage to historic and religious sites across the country, including pagodas, Buddhist monasteries, and centuries-old monuments.

Government’s Latest Report

According to Myanmar’s government, over 3,000 buildings have been damaged, including about 150 mosques and pagodas. This highlights the extent of the disaster’s impact on the nation’s cultural heritage.

Me Nu Brick Monastery

The 200-year-old Me Nu Brick Monastery, located southwest of Mandalay, has been largely destroyed. The building’s distinctive balconies have collapsed around the bulky interior walls.

Shwe Sar Yan Pagoda

Video footage shows the ornate golden spire of the Shwe Sar Yan Pagoda toppling over. Witnesses can be heard screaming as the pagoda falls.

Monastery Building Collapse

Moments later, another video captures the collapse of a five-story monastery building. Many monks who lived there slept out on mats in nearby streets that night.
One of the monks, Moe Nat Ashin, photographed the aftermath of the collapse.

Burma Human Rights Network Photos

Photos shared by the Burma Human Rights Network depict fallen minarets and domes of mosques in several regions. The news outlet Mizzima reported that 490 people were killed in mosque collapses on Friday.
In Pindaya, 70 miles from the epicenter, stupas decorating a large monastery have been toppled, and cracks have formed in the foundations of those that remain standing.
The ground is littered with the remains of golden spires and red bricks, common to the region.
Witnesses also recorded the collapse of the monastery’s largest stupas during an aftershock.

Pindaya Monastery Administrator’s Statement

According to Tun Tun Aye, the administrator of a Facebook page for the monastery, Pindaya has experienced earthquakes before, but not as strong as the current one.
The stupas are believed to be more than a century old. The restoration of the monastery remains uncertain.

Rebuilding Challenges

Similar to Nepal’s post-earthquake recovery, which was initially hampered by bureaucracy but led to a resurgence in traditional craftsmanship, Myanmar faces unique challenges in rebuilding.
Ruled by a military junta that has targeted civilian areas, establishing a unified and internationally supported reconstruction effort in Myanmar will likely be more complex.