Earthquake kills 144 in Myanmar, hundreds buried under rubble in Thailand
A strong earthquake struck the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar on Friday. It caused extensive damage in Thailand as well as Myanmar. Tremors were also felt in southwestern China, India, Vietnam and Bangladesh.
According to the Myanmar junta government’s estimate as of 10 pm tonight, at least 144 people have been killed in the country. More than 732 people have been injured. And three deaths have been reported in Thailand. Many people are buried under the rubble.
According to the United States Geological Survey, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck the central region of Myanmar at 12:50 pm local time today. Its epicenter was 10 kilometers deep in the surface. The epicenter of the earthquake was about 17.2 kilometers from the city of Mandalay in Myanmar. An aftershock of 6.4 magnitude occurred 12 minutes after the earthquake. After the earthquake, the country’s military government has declared a state of emergency in six regions including the capital of Myanmar, Naypyidaw, Mandalay, and Saigon. The BBC reported that 96 of the 144 people killed were in Naypyidaw, 18 in Saigon and 30 in Mandalay, citing Myanmar’s junta leader Min Aung Hlaing. The death toll could rise. Myanmar’s state media reported that buildings collapsed in five cities, including Naypyidaw, Saigon and Mandalay, due to the strong tremors. In addition, a bridge and a railway bridge were damaged. Pictures published in the media and on social media showed that the Ava Bridge over the Irrawaddy River had been destroyed. The bridge’s pillars were leaning into the water. The earthquake hit the Myanmar city of Mandalay the hardest. This ancient city, close to the epicenter of the earthquake, is a major center for the country’s Buddhists. A resident of the city told Reuters, “When everything started shaking, we all ran out of our houses. A five-story building collapsed in front of my eyes. Everyone in our city is now on the streets.” No one is going inside the building out of fear.’ Earthquake kills 144 in Myanmar
Photos posted on social media showed rubble across the city. According to local media outlet Myanmar Now, a tower in the city has completely collapsed. Part of the wall of Mandalay Palace has collapsed. “The situation here is very deplorable,” said Htet Naing Oo, a resident of the city. Two witnesses said that three people were killed when part of a mosque collapsed in the Myanmar city of Taungoo. One of them said, “We were praying when the tremors started. Three people died on the spot.” In addition, a hotel in Aung Ban town in Shan state was destroyed. 20 people were trapped under the building. Two people were killed.
