Yangon: Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.7 and 6.4 in magnitude, struck Myanmar on Friday. Strong tremors were felt in Thailand, China, and India’s northeastern states.
The epicenter was near Sagaing in Myanmar. The impact was severe, causing buildings to collapse and the iconic Ava Bridge in Mandalay to fall into the Irrawaddy River.
In Bangkok, about 900 km away, a high-rise under construction collapsed, trapping over 40 workers. Tremors forced people to flee their homes, and water spilled from rooftop pools.
Thailand declared an emergency in its capital. Metro and rail services were suspended, and several buildings were evacuated. No casualties were reported in Bangkok.
Videos on social media showed buildings shaking, people running in panic, and a skyscraper’s infinity pool overflowing.
Myanmar is prone to earthquakes due to the Sagaing Fault. In 2016, a 6.8-magnitude quake hit Bagan, killing three people. The country, already struggling with civil unrest, faces challenges in handling disasters.
