Several strong earthquakes that killed central Myanmar, shaking Thailand's buildings
On Friday, a strong earthquake rocked Southeast Asia, killing several people, building a skyscraper in Bangkok, and a government of the rulers declared a state of emergency in some areas in the reflection buildings in neighboring Myanmar.
Witnesses said at least three people were killed in the town of Tangwu, Myanmar when a mosque partially collapsed, while local media reported that at least two people died, 20 people died and 20 injured after a hotel collapsed.
Thailand's National Emergency Medicine Institute said at least one person was killed in Thailand and dozens of workers were rescued from the rubble of skyscrapers built in Bangkok.
Witnesses said in Bangkok, people ran to panic streets, many of whom were bathing suits and swimsuits when hotel guests in bathrobes and swimsuits fell from the elevated pool of luxury hotels.
City authorities in Bangkok declared the capital was a troubled area, saying they needed to assess and monitor damaged areas and assist people who may still be at risk.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake was magnitude 7.7 and had a depth of 10 kilometers. Then came the powerful aftershock.
The epicenter is about 17.2 kilometers away from Mandalay City and has a population of about 1.5 million.
“It’s very bad”
The Myanmar military-operated government has declared a state of emergency in several regions.
“The state will quickly ask about the situation and conduct rescue operations and provide humanitarian assistance,” it said on the telegram messaging application.
The military government seized power in the 2021 coup, leading to a civil war and being quarantined internationally.
Mandalay is the ancient royal capital of Myanmar and the center of the country's Buddhist heartland.
Social media posts show that city streets are scattered with buildings and debris. Reuters was unable to verify the positions immediately.
“We all ran out of the house when everything started to shake. I saw the five-story building in front of me collapse. Everyone in my town was on the road and no one dared to go back inside the building.”
Another witness in the city, Htet Naing Oo, told Reuters that a tea shop collapsed and there were several people inside. “We can't get in,” she said. “The situation is very bad.”
Two witnesses from Taunton town in Bago region of Myanmar told Reuters that at least three people died after the mosque partially collapsed.
“When the tremor started, we were talking about prayer… the three died at the scene,” said a person who spoke with Reuters.
The Swing of Building Bangkok
A third witness said a mosque in the city was severely damaged.
Meanwhile, Bangkok witnesses said a downtown office building swayed from side to side for at least two minutes, with doors and windows squeaking loudly.
Hundreds of employees filed lawsuits through emergency stairs due to some shock and panic workers freezing. A loud scream can be heard as the building continues to sway.
Outside, hundreds of people gathered in the afternoon sun, while staff with medical kits found the elderly’s office chair and were shocked.
China's Xinhua News Agency said that the southwestern Yunnan province bordering Myanmar felt a strong tremor, but no reports of casualties.
