A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, sending shock waves in Southeast Asia, killing and causing an epicenter hundreds of miles away.
Myanmar's military government said 144 people died and 732 were injured. The death toll is expected to rise, with many injured reaching hospitals in Mandalay, the country's second largest city.
The earthquake collapsed the skyscrapers under construction in Bangkok, killing at least three people and leaving dozens missing. It also shocked China's buildings and rattled bridges and houses to Vietnam.
Myanmar is in the midst of the pain of a civil war, which leaves nearly 20 million people without proper food and shelter. The Myanmar military government's censorship system of censorship restricts the spread of information from disaster centers, although the scope of damage in Thailand and other countries is gradually becoming increasingly obvious.
Where is the center?
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, an earthquake hit near Mandalay in central Myanmar at about 12:50 pm local time. After about 12 minutes, the aftershock amplitude was 6.4 and hit the same area.
Earthquakes of size 7.7 are considered to be the main one. The agency said the size of the aftershocks is classified as strong and can cause damage, especially in densely populated areas.
In central Myanmar, large plates of the earth's crust are moving, and powerful earthquakes are prone to occur. The country is located at the eastern end of the Alps, the most active seismic activity area in the world. According to the USGS database, three earthquakes of 7.7 or higher hit the latest database in 1988 in or near Myanmar in the last century.
Friday's earthquake struck a relatively shallow depth of six miles, meaning it could cause more intense shaking. Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is shocked more than 800 miles from its epicenter.
Which countries are affected?
Despite limited information from Myanmar authorities, earthquakes are almost certainly the most destructive. Mandalay is the largest major city near the epicenter, with an estimated population of 1.5 million.
Neighboring Thailand also feels the power of the earthquake, especially in Bangkok, where about 11 million people live in the metropolitan area. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared the city an “emergency” and asked residents to evacuate from high-rise buildings to avoid aftershocks.
In China, news media near Myanmar Yunnan Province reported the losses of buildings in the busy border city of Ruili.
Bangladesh also felt shocked by western Myanmar, but there were no reports of immediate damage.
What are the death toll and what damage has been caused?
As rescuers dig through the ruins, injured people are expected to enter the hospital, accounting is expected. The Myanmar military government said 144 people were killed and 732 were injured.
In Mandalay, video shows that according to videos verified by the New York Times, the AVA bridge originally built by the British collapsed. However, the extensive censorship enforced by the Myanmar military government makes it difficult to see the full scope of the damage.
In Thailand, at least three people died when the skyscraper under construction collapsed in Bangkok. At least 70 people are still missing, and it is not clear whether the other 20 people trapped on the elevator axle are still alive. The city's elevated train service was closed and people fled from high-rise buildings after the city was in a state of emergency.
Chinese state media reported that unspecified people were injured and houses and buildings were damaged in the city of Luri.
What helps?
In Myanmar, the worst hit area is located in the center of the country and is controlled by the military government. When disasters pass, such as Cyclone Mocha in 2023 and Cyclone Nargis in 2008, the military government avoids seeking international aid and delivers assistance in uncontrolled areas.
The military government has rarely called for help after a strong earthquake on Friday. The request indicates that authorities are contributing to the high death toll.
“We will work with them to ensure the best care for the victims,” said General Zaw Min Tun, a Myanmar military spokesman, who declared a state of emergency in six districts.
The region of a country controlled by the rebels is further away from the center of the earthquake. These areas seem relatively unscathed, but information in these often isolated areas may slowly emerge.
The World Health Organization said it is considering sending trauma supplies to support Myanmar. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said the country's team is evaluating the situation.
Reported by Sui-Lee Wee,,,,, John Yuan,,,,, Keith Bradsher,,,,, John Keefe,,,,, Richard C. Paddock,,,,, Muktita Suhartono,,,,, Adam Satariano and Paul Mozur.
