Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed concern over the massive 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar, with tremors felt in Thailand and parts of China. He assured that India stands ready to provide all necessary assistance to the affected regions.
“Concerned by the situation in the wake of the earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Praying for the safety and well-being of everyone. India stands ready to offer all possible assistance. Authorities are on standby, and the MEA has been asked to remain in touch with the governments of Myanmar and Thailand,” PM Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake struck at a shallow depth of just 10 km, with its epicenter near Mandalay, about 50 km east of Monywa.
- The quake struck at 11:50 am IST, followed by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock minutes later.
- The National Center for Seismology (NCS) recorded a third aftershock at magnitude 4.9.
- Eyewitnesses in Bangkok, Thailand, described buildings swaying, water splashing out of swimming pools, and mass evacuations.
- A 30-story skyscraper under construction in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district collapsed, reportedly trapping 43 workers inside, according to The Nation News.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared Bangkok an “area of emergency”, urging residents to evacuate tall buildings due to the risk of aftershocks. Several businesses temporarily closed operations, and the stock exchange suspended trading.
A resident in Yangon, Myanmar’s commercial hub, said the quake lasted about a minute, causing widespread panic. Phone networks briefly went down but were later restored.
China’s state broadcaster CCTV reported strong tremors across multiple regions in Yunnan Province, bordering Myanmar. The epicenter was located 294 km from China’s border, with tremors felt in Xishuangbanna, Kunming, Lijiang, Dali, Baoshan, and parts of Guizhou and Guangxi.
A video obtained by CNN showed a road bridge spanning the Irrawaddy River in Mandalay collapsing into the river amid dust and water clouds.
Authorities across Myanmar, Thailand, and China continue to assess the damage and conduct rescue operations, while the world watches closely for further developments.
