In brief
The devastating earthquake struck Myanmar, sending shockwaves reverberating across Southeast Asia and raising concerns over the death toll in a nation already grappling with conflict.
A powerful earthquake registering 7.7 on the Richter scale rocked central Myanmar on Friday, sending tremors across Southeast Asia and marking a dire moment for the war-torn nation. The tremor, which had its epicenter close to Mandalay, resulted in significant structural damage, including the collapse of century-old religious sites and multiple high-rise buildings.Reports from the military government cite at least 144 fatalities and 732 injuries in three cities, though these figures do not include the heavily affected Mandalay. Experts from the U.S. Geological Survey anticipate that the actual death toll could surpass 1,000, with the potential for over 10,000 casualties given the densely populated and vulnerable architecture of the area.The earthquake, which struck just after 12:50 p.m. local time, is among the largest to hit Southeast Asia in the last century. It was forceful enough to cause a 33-story construction project in Bangkok, Thailand to collapse, leading to at least eight confirmed deaths and missing persons, primarily among the workers involved in the project. An aftershock recorded at 6.7 magnitude followed about 11 minutes later, exacerbating the situation for residents in affected areas. Tremors were felt in Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Thailand, causing authorities in Bangkok to declare an emergency and encourage evacuation from tall buildings.As the situation evolves, rescue operations are likely to face challenges due to the extent of the damage and ongoing civil unrest in Myanmar. Emergency responses are underway, but the focus remains on assessing the full impact of this catastrophic earthquake.
