Earthquake today : Myanmar declares emergency in 6 regions; 23 killed

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, causing roads to buckle in the capital Naypyidaw and sending tremors as far as China, Thailand and parts of India as well. The Myanmar earthquake’s epicenter was located 16 kilometers (10 miles) northwest of the city of Sagaing, at a depth of 10 kilometers, around 12:50 pm local time (0620 GMT), according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

While the extent of damage or casualties in Myanmar is not yet clear, a doctor in a hospital at the capital, Naypyidaw, said that at least 20 people were confirmed dead. Three people died after a mosque in Taungnoo partially collapsed due to the strong earthquake.

Across the border in Thailand, three people were confirmed dead in the collapse of a skyscraper, with 81 more missing and believed trapped in the twisted metal and rubble of the under-construction building.

Myanmar earthquake 

– Tremors were also felt throughout northern Thailand and down to Bangkok, where residents fled to the streets as buildings shook. Visuals shared on social media showed a building collapse in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district.

– Due to the tremors, some metro and light rail services were suspended in Thailand’s Bangkok. Jolts of the Myanmar earthquake were also felt in Vietnam.

– Tremors were also felt in China’s southwest Yunnan province, with Beijing’s quake agency reporting the jolt as a 7.9 magnitude earthquake.

– Earthquakes are relatively common in Myanmar, where between 1930 and 1956, six strong quakes of 7.0 magnitude or higher struck near the Sagaing Fault, which runs north to south through the center of the country, according to the USGS.

– Mild tremors were felt in West Bengal’s Kolkata and Manipur’s Imphal as well after the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar. According to official sources cited by news agency PTI, there have been no reports of damage to property or loss of life in the city due to the tremor.