A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday afternoon, as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The seismic event occurred approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) north-northwest of the town of Sagaing, Myanmar, at around 12:50 p.m. local time. This significant quake was followed by a notable aftershock measuring 6.4 magnitude, which shook the region just 12 minutes after the initial tremor, according to USGS.
As of now, there has been no immediate report of damage in Myanmar, a nation that has been grappling with a bloody civil war since 2021. A resident from Yangon, Myanmar, who chose to remain anonymous, recounted their experience to CNN, stating, “We felt the quake for about one minute and then we ran out of the building.” They further described a chaotic scene: “We saw other people running out of the buildings too. It was very sudden and very strong.”
The tremors from the earthquake were felt as far away as Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, where a CNN journalist reported scenes of panic in his apartment. Light fixtures swung back and forth as residents hurriedly evacuated the building. Another individual in Thailand’s northern city of Chiang Mai shared their experience, saying, “I felt it for about ten seconds in my room then I figured out I couldn’t stay inside. So I rushed out onto the street.”
On Chinese social media platforms, users reported feeling the quake in the provinces of Yunnan, which borders Myanmar, and Shaanxi. The widespread impact of this earthquake underscores its strength and potential for significant aftereffects.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Stay tuned for further details on this significant seismic event in Myanmar.
