Strong earthquake in Myanmar: tremors are felt in Laos and Thailand

The earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 occurred 16 kilometres from the city of Sagaing in Myanmar.

The tremors were recorded at 06:20 GMT, the epicentre was at a depth of 10 km. They were felt in the capital Nay Pyi Taw and the largest city of Yangon. Several buildings collapsed in the Mandalay region, and roads between Mandalay and Yangon were partially damaged and blocked.

Strong tremors were also recorded in neighbouring countries. In Vientiane, the capital of Laos, buildings above three storeys shook noticeably and residents of high-rise buildings felt strong tremors. In Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, tremors were also felt.

CGTN, a TV BRICS partner, reports that an earthquake destroyed a mosque in Mandalay. In Taungoo, a monastery collapsed. In total, at least 1,600 people are listed as dead in Myanmar. At least 3,400 people have been injured and 139 are missing. The earthquake caused the collapse of two bridges and damage to a motorway. Buildings collapsed in 5 cities and towns. 

In Bangkok, Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared an emergency and cancelled a planned trip to Phuket for an emergency meeting, according to Vietnam News Agency (VNA), a partner of TV BRICS. City Hall later declared the capital a disaster zone. At least 17 people have died, 43 workers are trapped under the rubble and 81 people are missing.

The news was updated on 30 March at 12:19 (Moscow time).

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