The strong earthquake that jolted Myanmar and Thailand on Friday has left over 150 persons dead, NDTV World reported, citing local media sources. The death toll is feared to rise as scores of persons are reported to be missing.
The bulk of the casualties were reported in Myanmar, where the epicentre of the earthquake is located. An hospital in capital Naypyidaw likely became a "mass casualty area", news agency AFP reported, while adding that deaths were also reported at a mosque in Mandalay and a university in the same city.
Mandalay, a city with 12-lakh population that is located barely 17 kilometres away from the earthquake's epicentre. The tremors was measured to be of 7.7 magnitude on the Richter scale, and struck at 12:50 pm (local time), according to the US Geological Survey. They were followed up with 6.8-magnitude aftershock.
The China Earthquake Networks Center said it measured the earthquake in Myanmar to be of 7.9 magnitude, and its impact was also felt in the Chinese province of Yunnan.
There was no tsunami warning issued.
Bangkok, the capital of neighbouring Thailand, was gripped with panic following the earthquake tremors. Hundreds poured out of their homes after the tremors jolted the city, news agency Reuters reported.
Visuals shared by local news platforms and social media users on X show an under-construction skyscraper collapsing in Bangkok.
BREAKING: Skyscraper under construction collapses during earthquake in Bangkok pic.twitter.com/URArEojgyc
BREAKING: Closeup video shows the moment skyscraper collapses in Bangkok, Thailand from powerful earthquake.pic.twitter.com/IKhRrecvQc
The earthquake in Myanmar comes around two months after 4.8-magnitude tremors struck the country. The natural calamity, reported on Jan. 24, did not lead to any casualties.
Myanmar shares a 1,643-km border with India, which makes the latter's northeast region prone to tremors in case of a strong earthquake in the neighbouring country.
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