Myanmar earthquake latest as building collapses and tourists flea 7.7-magnitude disaster | World | News

Myanmar was shaken by a strong 7.7 magnitude earthquake on Friday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. While the tremor originated in Myanmar, it deeply affected also neighbouring countries, including Thailand and Vietnam. 

In Vietnam’s Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, lights were swaying from the shaking. Reports of a building collapsing in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, have already emerged, with the tremor prompting fears in people as hundreds reportedly ran outside of their homes and buildings after the earthquake. Witnesses in Bangkok told Reuters people ran in a panic and water splashed out of swimming pools. 

The earthquake originated kilometres northwest of Sagaing, Myanmar, at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles), according to USGS. 

A 6.4 magnitude aftershock was felt around 12 minutes later near Mandalay, the USGS added.

One video of a building site posted on X this morning showed large building completely collapsing as workers ran for safety. Another showed water from a rooftop swimming pool pouring down the sides of the building.

There are reports of people being stuck under the rubble of a collapsed building under construction in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok.

“I heard it and I was sleeping in the house, I ran as far as I could in my pyjamas out of the building,” Duangjai, a resident of popular tourist city Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, told AFP.

The USGS has said that buildings in Myanmar and Thailand are especially vulnerable to the effects of earthquakes. The service noted: “Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist.

“The predominant vulnerable building types are informal (metal, timber, GI etc.) and unreinforced brick masonry construction.”

Early reports in Myanmar indicate extensive damage. In the city of Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, large parts of the walls of the old city compound are seen to have collapsed.

Speaking to Reuters, an officer from the Myanmar Fire Services Department said: “We have started the search and going around Yangon to check for casualties and damage. So far, we have no information yet.”