Quake rocks Myanmar, evacuations in Bangkok
A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck Myanmar, resulting in a skyscraper collapse in Bangkok. At least 43 people were trapped under the debris, and the tremors were felt as far away as Bangkok.
What do you need to know?
- Epicenter of the earthquake was located in central Myanmar, approximately 31 miles east of the city of Monywa. The quake, with a magnitude of 7.7, occurred around 2:20 PM local time.
- In Bangkok, the earthquake caused buildings to sway, prompting the evacuation of residents.
- Skyscraper collapse in Chatuchak Park in Bangkok trapped at least 43 people. There were 50 individuals in the building at the time.
What were the effects of the earthquake in Myanmar?
The epicenter, with a magnitude of 7.7, was located in central Myanmar, roughly 31 miles east of Monywa. The tremors were so strong that people fled in panic from buildings in Yangon.
"We have started the search and going around Yangon to check for casualties and damage. So far, we have no information yet," said an officer from the Myanmar Fire Department in a conversation with Reuters.
What happened in Bangkok? Trapped workers
In Bangkok, the earthquake caused buildings to sway, leading to the evacuation of residents. In Chatuchak Park, a skyscraper collapsed, trapping at least 43 workers.
According to the National Institute of Emergency Medicine, there were 50 people in the building.
Aftershocks with a magnitude of 6.4 occurred about 12 minutes after the initial earthquake, according to CNN. Water spilled from rooftop pools of skyscrapers, highlighting the intensity of the tremors. The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) reported that the earthquake was shallow, about 6 miles deep.
