WEB DESK: A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, strongly shaking buildings across a vast expanse of Southeast Asia, and causing damage in cities as far away as Bangkok in neighbouring Thailand.
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake, and an aftershock of 6.8, hit central Myanmar at 12.50pm (local time) Friday.
At least 20 people were killed in Myanmar, and three in Thailand.
The epicentre was 16km northwest of the city of Sagaing, and at a depth of 10km, the United States Geological Survey said. 20 deaths have been reported – in Myanmar so far – by local media.
Deaths have also been reported from a mosque in Mandalay city, which collapsed while people were inside, praying. Rescue efforts are ongoing, and the number of dead will, almost certainly, increase.
The Myanmar junta has declared an ’emergency’ and has appealed for international aid.
Tremors were felt as far away as northern Thailand, where some metro and rail services were suspended in Bangkok.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is holding an “urgent meeting” to review the crisis and she too has declared a state of ’emergency’ in the capital city.
China’s Yunnan province also reported strong tremors; the China Earthquake Networks Center said the magnitude was 7.9. And mild tremors were also reported from Kolkata in Bengal and parts of Manipur, as well as Dhaka and Chattogram in Bangladesh, sources make new
