A series of powerful earthquakes struck Myanmar on Friday, with magnitudes of 7.7 and 6.4, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quakes sent shockwaves across the region, with strong tremors reported in Thailand and beyond.
The initial earthquake hit approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) northwest of Sagaing at a depth of 10 kilometers around 12:50 pm local time (06:20 GMT), USGS confirmed.
Meanwhile, the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) recorded the quake at magnitude 7.9, as reported by Xinhua news agency. A social media update from CENC mentioned, “tremors were felt in Yunnan.”
The force of the tremors caused significant damage in Myanmar’s capital, Naypyidaw, where roads cracked, and parts of ceilings collapsed, according to AFP.
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In neighboring Thailand, the impact was strongly felt in Bangkok, where high-rise residents rushed outside in panic. Some witnesses reported water spilling from pools due to the quake’s intensity.
“I heard it and I was sleeping in the house, I ran as far as I could in my pyjamas out of the building,” said Duangjai, a resident of Chiang Mai, speaking to AFP.
Reports indicate that people were trapped under the rubble of a collapsed construction site in Bangkok’s Chatuchak area. In response, some metro and light rail services were temporarily halted.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was on an official visit to Phuket, announced on X that she had “interrupted an official visit” to convene an emergency meeting regarding the disaster.
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Myanmar’s Earthquake History
Myanmar frequently experiences seismic activity due to the Sagaing Fault, which runs through the country. Between 1930 and 1956, at least six earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or higher struck the region, as per USGS data.
In 2016, a 6.8-magnitude quake in Bagan resulted in three deaths and significant damage to ancient temples, causing spires to collapse and walls to crumble.
Myanmar, already facing economic and political turmoil, has limited medical resources, particularly in rural areas, raising concerns about the emergency response to this latest disaster.