Witnessed buildings cracking, people running for ...: Actress Parvathy recalls Bangkok earthquake

Actress Parvathy R Krishna shared her harrowing experience of surviving a massive earthquake in Bangkok, describing it as the most terrifying moment of her life. In a social media post, she detailed the chaos and fear that gripped the city as tremors rocked the region.

Parvathy, who was in the Thai capital when the earthquake struck, took to Instagram to express her shock. “I’m still shaking as I write this, but I’m grateful to be alive. Today, I experienced the most terrifying earthquake of my life in Bangkok. The 7.7 magnitude quake shook everything, and I mean everything. I witnessed buildings cracking, people running for their lives, and chaos everywhere,” she wrote.

She described the panic that followed, with transportation coming to a standstill and people desperately trying to reach their loved ones. “No cabs, no transportation, no nothing... just pure panic. In that moment, all I could think about was my loved ones. I quickly called my family and talked to them, and it felt like I was finally talking to them after an eternity.”

Parvathy later shared her overwhelming sense of gratitude for surviving the ordeal. “I’m still trying to process what just happened, but I know that I’ve been given a second chance at life. I’m grateful for this newfound appreciation for life and for the chance to reconnect with what truly matters. To everyone affected by the earthquake, my heart goes out to you. May we all find strength and resilience in the face of adversity.”

Following the disaster, Parvathy managed to return to Kerala safely and shared an emotional update through her Instagram story. “Reality check: I’m still in shock and can’t believe I’m living to share this experience. Earthquake in Bangkok was a harrowing reminder of life’s fragility. As I walked through the door, all I could think about was holding my loved ones close. I hugged and kissed my husband and son for what felt like an eternity, tears streaming down my face.”

She reflected on the trauma of the event, emphasising the importance of cherishing every moment with family. “The trauma of what I witnessed is still fresh, but in that moment, all that mattered was the safety and love of my family. I’m still trying to process the events of the day, but one thing is clear: life is precious, and every moment with loved ones is a gift. I’m grateful for this second chance, and I won’t take it for granted.”

Widespread destruction and rising death toll

The devastating earthquake, which struck at midday on Friday, has claimed over 1,000 lives across war-torn Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand. The epicentre was located near Mandalay, triggering powerful aftershocks, including one of 6.4 magnitude.

The impact was severe, with buildings reduced to rubble, roads buckling, bridges collapsing, and even a dam bursting. In Myanmar’s capital, Naypyidaw, emergency crews scrambled to repair damaged roads while electricity, phone, and internet services remained down. Many government housing units collapsed, though authorities restricted access to the affected area.

In Thailand, the quake sent shockwaves across the greater Bangkok area, home to around 17 million people. City officials confirmed that six people had died, 26 were injured, and 47 remained missing, most of them at a construction site near the bustling Chatuchak Market.

As rescue operations continue, the full extent of the disaster is still unfolding, with authorities warning that the death toll could rise further.

(With inputs from AP)