John Moe The's forewarning comes on the heels of a devastating earthquake that claimed thousands of lives and left historic landmarks in ruins.
Astrologer Arrested in Myanmar After Viral Earthquake Prediction Causes Panic
Astrologer Arrested in Myanmar After Viral Earthquake Prediction Causes Panic
A TikTok astrologer's alarming prediction about an impending earthquake in Myanmar has led to his arrest for inciting public fear.
In a concerning turn of events, authorities in Myanmar have taken action against an astrologer known as John Moe The, who has been arrested for allegedly inciting panic through his predictions in a viral TikTok video. The astrologer shared his forecast on April 9, only two weeks after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake left a staggering 3,500 people dead and ravaged cultural heritage sites across the Southeast Asian country.
The Myanmar Information Ministry reported that John Moe The was detained for making "false statements with the intention of causing public panic." His prediction indicated that a significant earthquake would strike every city in Myanmar on April 21. However, geological experts have reiterated the impossibility of accurately predicting such events due to the unpredictable nature of seismic activities.
In his TikTok video, which garnered over three million views, John Moe The advised viewers to prepare for the quake by evacuating buildings and being cautious, asserting that "people should not stay in tall buildings during the day." The reaction was intense; residents in Yangon reported that many neighbors took his advice to heart and chose to sleep outdoors in anticipation of the predicted disaster.
John Moe The’s TikTok account, which had amassed over 300,000 followers, focused on astrology and palmistry, but has since been taken down. The authorities apprehended him during a raid at his residence in Sagaing, situated in central Myanmar. The regions of Mandalay and Sagaing, which experienced the brunt of the recent March earthquake, had even led the ruling junta to appeal for international assistance in the disaster's aftermath.
As Myanmar grapples with the lingering effects of recent natural calamities, officials are navigating the complexities of public fear and misinformation in the digital age.
The Myanmar Information Ministry reported that John Moe The was detained for making "false statements with the intention of causing public panic." His prediction indicated that a significant earthquake would strike every city in Myanmar on April 21. However, geological experts have reiterated the impossibility of accurately predicting such events due to the unpredictable nature of seismic activities.
In his TikTok video, which garnered over three million views, John Moe The advised viewers to prepare for the quake by evacuating buildings and being cautious, asserting that "people should not stay in tall buildings during the day." The reaction was intense; residents in Yangon reported that many neighbors took his advice to heart and chose to sleep outdoors in anticipation of the predicted disaster.
John Moe The’s TikTok account, which had amassed over 300,000 followers, focused on astrology and palmistry, but has since been taken down. The authorities apprehended him during a raid at his residence in Sagaing, situated in central Myanmar. The regions of Mandalay and Sagaing, which experienced the brunt of the recent March earthquake, had even led the ruling junta to appeal for international assistance in the disaster's aftermath.
As Myanmar grapples with the lingering effects of recent natural calamities, officials are navigating the complexities of public fear and misinformation in the digital age.
