A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar and neighboring Thailand on Friday, causing widespread destruction. In Myanmar, at least 144 people have been confirmed dead and 730 injured, while Thailand reported 10 fatalities and 101 missing individuals. The quake’s epicenter was near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, and it triggered multiple aftershocks, one measuring 6.4 magnitude.
Devastation in Myanmar
Myanmar, already grappling with a civil war, witnessed significant damage. Photos from Naypyidaw revealed rescue teams pulling victims from collapsed civil servant housing. Blood donations were urgently needed in the hardest-hit areas. Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, head of Myanmar’s military government, announced the rising death toll and expressed readiness to accept international aid. The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, confirmed the UN’s mobilisation to support Myanmar.
In Mandalay, the Ma Soe Yane monastery, one of the city’s largest religious structures, collapsed. A video showed monks filming the monastery moments before it crumbled. A dam burst in the city, flooding lowland areas, while a 90-year-old bridge in the Sagaing region also collapsed. Damage to highways connecting Mandalay and Yangon further hampered rescue efforts.
Damage on Bangkok
In Thailand, the earthquake caused a 33-story building under construction to collapse near Bangkok’s Chatuchak market. The sudden collapse sent a cloud of dust billowing through the area, with sirens blaring as rescuers searched for survivors. Sixteen people were reported injured. Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit expressed hope of finding more survivors.
The quake was felt in China’s Yunnan and Sichuan provinces. Reports from Ruili city showed building debris and injuries, while in Mangshi, residents reported tremors so strong they couldn’t stand.
(With AP inputs)