A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar at 12:50 local time (06:20 GMT). The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the epicenter of the earthquake was 16 kilometers northwest of the city of Sagaing, at a depth of 10 kilometers, and that the region is located on a seismically active fault line.
ALSO FELT IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES: THAI PRIME MINISTER ISSUES EMERGENCY CALL
The violent tremors were also felt in Bangladesh, India, Laos, Thailand, and southwestern China. Panic erupted in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, as citizens evacuated high-rise buildings. The Prime Minister of Thailand called for an emergency meeting following the earthquake.
HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS COLLAPSED, AVA BRIDGE DESTROYED
While no official statement has been made regarding the damage caused by the earthquake, images shared on social media showed some high-rise buildings collapsing. The historic Ava Bridge in the city of Mandalay, Myanmar, collapsed into the Irrawaddy River due to the impact of the earthquake.
NO INFORMATION ON CASUALTIES
Authorities have not yet provided a definitive statement regarding casualties or structural damage, while the USGS noted that the earthquake occurred in a sparsely populated area. In an environment already tense due to internal unrest in Myanmar, the extent of the earthquake's impact is currently being investigated.
News Source: 12punto
