In brief
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, particularly near Mandalay, prompting widespread destruction and a concerning death toll as thousands fear for their lives.
A powerful earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, causing significant devastation in a nation already grappling with civil conflict. The quake registered 7.7 on the Richter scale and was particularly intense near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city. Initial reports from the military government indicated at least 144 fatalities and 732 injuries across three cities, however, this does not account for the substantial damage and potential casualties in Mandalay itself, lying mere miles from the epicenter.Geologists from the United States Geological Survey have made dire projections, suggesting the death toll could exceed 1,000, with estimates indicating the possibility of over 10,000 casualties given the area's densely populated nature and many vulnerable structures. The earthquake also affected neighboring countries, causing damage even to a high-rise building under construction in Bangkok, Thailand, leading to at least eight confirmed deaths and dozens missing.The earthquake struck shortly before 1 p.m. local time, marking only the third event of its magnitude in the region in the past century. Following the initial powerful quake, an aftershock of 6.7 magnitude was recorded within minutes. Tremors were felt wide-ranging, reaching as far as Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, and southern China, prompting emergency declarations from regional leaders including Thailand's Prime Minister, who urged residents to evacuate high-rise structures in anticipation of further tremors.
