On Friday at 12:50 local time, a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, causing multiple buildings to collapse in Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city. The earthquake also affected neighboring Thailand, with regions across the country experiencing varying degrees of tremors, leading many people to evacuate buildings for safety.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter of the earthquake was located in the northwestern part of Sagaing Region in Myanmar, with a shallow depth of only 10 kilometers. A 6.4 magnitude aftershock occurred approximately 12 minutes after the main quake. Strong tremors were felt in Myanmar’s capital, Naypyidaw, and its largest city, Yangon.
Videos circulating online depict severe damage in many areas, with numerous buildings in Myanmar, including temples and residential homes, either collapsing or tilting, and bridges bending and deforming. People gathered on the streets, helplessly looking at their homes turned into ruins, resulting in a heartbreaking scene.
Shortly after the earthquake, Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, arrived at a hospital in Naypyidaw to visit survivors of the earthquake. However, the authorities have not yet released official figures regarding casualties and property damage.
Meanwhile, tremors were felt across Thailand, with the northern provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai experiencing the most intense shaking. Central regions and the capital city of Bangkok also felt significant ground movements and building sways. A building under construction in Bangkok collapsed, trapping multiple individuals inside. Bangkok has declared a state of emergency in response to the earthquake.
Additionally, the southwestern part of Yunnan Province, bordering Myanmar, also experienced noticeable tremors, but the extent of the damage is currently unknown.