A powerful earthquake rattled central Myanmar, particularly devastating the city of Mandalay and prompting fears of a significant death toll as buildings collapsed and infrastructure was heavily damaged.
Major Earthquake Hits Myanmar, Casualties Expected to Rise
Major Earthquake Hits Myanmar, Casualties Expected to Rise
A catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, causing widespread destruction and heavy loss of life.
A severe earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 hit central Myanmar on Friday, affecting areas across Southeast Asia and raising alarm about the potential casualties in a nation already grappling with conflict. Officials report at least 144 fatalities and 732 injuries from three cities alone, excluding the heavily impacted Mandalay, where significant destruction occurred close to the epicenter.
The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that the death count could exceed 1,000, with the potential for over 10,000 casualties due to the dense population and vulnerable infrastructure. The quake, occurring at 12:50 p.m. local time, was one of the strongest recorded in the region in the last century. It even collapsed a 33-story building under construction in Bangkok, Thailand, leading to at least eight confirmed deaths.
The seismic event was felt in neighboring countries, including Bangladesh, Vietnam, and southern China, with reports of injuries in some areas. In response to the disaster, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared an emergency in Bangkok and advised residents to evacuate high buildings as precautionary measures against possible aftershocks.
As rescue and recovery efforts begin, experts warn of the challenging road ahead for a nation that is already facing severe internal strife and humanitarian challenges.
