Myanmar experienced a series of earthquakes on Friday, with the strongest registering a magnitude of 7.2 on the Richter Scale, causing tremors felt as far as Bangkok, Thailand.
According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the first major earthquake struck at 11:50 am (local time) at a depth of 10 kilometers, with coordinates at Latitude 21.93 N and Longitude 96.07 E. The powerful tremor prompted hundreds of people to evacuate swaying buildings in Bangkok, while videos circulating on social media showed water splashing out of swimming pools due to the intensity of the quake.
Minutes later, an aftershock measuring 6.4 magnitudes was recorded, followed by another 4.9-magnitude tremor. The continuous seismic activity caused significant structural damage, including the collapse of a 30-story under-construction skyscraper in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, where 43 workers were reported trapped, according to Thailand’s National Institute for Emergency Medicine.
Later in the night, at 11:56 pm (local time), another earthquake of magnitude 4.2 struck Myanmar at a depth of 10 km, as confirmed by the NCS. The coordinates of this tremor were recorded at Latitude 22.15 N and Longitude 95.41 E, raising concerns over potential aftershocks.
Additionally, footage obtained by CNN showed a bridge spanning the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar’s Mandalay region collapsing into the water amidst a cloud of dust and debris.
Authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage, while rescue efforts are underway to assist those affected by the quakes.
