Naypyidaw (TDI): A powerful earthquake rocked Southeast Asia on Friday, killing several people, bringing down a skyscraper under construction in Bangkok, Thailand and toppling buildings in neighbouring Myanmar, where the government declared a state of emergency in some areas.
At least 3 people were killed in the town of Taungoo in Myanmar when a mosque partially collapsed, according to witnesses, while local media reported that at least 2 people died and 20 were wounded after a hotel collapsed in Aung Ban.
In Thailand, at least one person was killed and dozens of workers were rescued from under the rubble of the skyscraper that had been under construction in Bangkok, Thailand’s National Institute of Emergency Medicine said.
Bangkok’s city authorities declared the capital a disaster-hit area, saying they needed to assess and monitor damaged areas, and help people who might still be at risk.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake, which struck at lunchtime, was of 7.7 magnitude and at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). It was followed by a powerful aftershock.
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The epicentre was about 17.2 kilometers from the Myanmar city of Mandalay, which has a population of approximately 1.5 million.
Myanmar’s ruling junta declared a state of emergency in many regions.
“The state will make inquiries on the situation rapidly and conduct rescue operations along with providing humanitarian assistance,” it said in a statement.
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Mandalay is the ancient royal capital of Myanmar and at the centre of the country’s Buddhist heartland.
Social media posts showed collapsed and damaged buildings and debris strewn across streets in the city.
