Massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocks Burma, Thailand

A massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Burma and Thailand, causing widespread destruction and panic as buildings collapsed and people scrambled for safety. The earthquake shook almost every region of the country, with aftershocks reportedly felt in India and China. The extent of injuries and possible fatalities remains unclear at this time.

The aftershock, reported to be 6.4 magnitude by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), added to the chaos and fear among residents. People in Bangkok were evacuated from their buildings and cautioned to stay outside in case of more tremors.

Dramatic videos shared on social media showed a multi-story building in Bangkok collapsing into a cloud of dust, with onlookers screaming and running. Police rushed to the scene near Bangkok’s popular Chatuchak Market, with no immediate information on the number of workers present at the time of the collapse.

The earthquake, with a shallow depth of 6.2 miles, had its epicenter in Myanmar, according to initial reports from the USGS and Germany’s GFZ center for geosciences. Water from rooftop pools in Bangkok sloshed over the sides, and debris fell from many buildings, adding to the chaos and destruction.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra called for an emergency meeting to assess the impact of the quake on the greater Bangkok area, home to over 17 million people living in high-rise apartments. Alarms went off as the earthquake struck, prompting residents to evacuate down staircases of tall buildings and seek safety in the streets.

Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention reported that the quake was felt across almost all regions of the country. In Burma, the quake damaged religious shrines, sending parts crashing to the ground, and causing damage to homes and buildings in the capital Naypyitaw.

Search and rescue efforts are underway in both countries, with dozens reported missing and injured in Tibet on the Chinese side of the border. The China Earthquake Networks Centre is coordinating rescue teams to search for survivors in the affected areas.

Further reports of damage and casualties are expected as the situation unfolds. Both Burma and Thailand are facing the aftermath of this devastating earthquake, with communities coming together to support those in need.