A massive earthquake that shook central Myanmar on Friday caused roads in the capital, Naypyidaw, to buckle, buildings to be damaged, and people in neighbouring Thailand to flee into the streets.
According to the US Geological Survey, the 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Friday afternoon northwest of the city of Sagaing at a shallow depth. Minutes later, an aftershock with a magnitude of 6.4 struck the same region.
Ceilings collapsed and roadways crumbled in Myanmar’s capital, Naypyidaw, a huge, purpose-built city with highways up to 20 lanes wide, according to reports.
As uniformed personnel fled away, some trembling and crying, others clutching cell phones to call loved ones, pieces of the roof collapsed and the walls broke.
The ground vibrated violently for around half a minute before settling.
There were no immediate reports of casualties after the quakes but they caused panic in nearby cities in northern Thailand and down to capital Bangkok.
The quake damaged buildings in Bangkok and forced the suspension of some metro and light rail services in the city.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Friday she had interrupted an official visit to the southern island of Phuket to hold an “urgent meeting” after the quake, according to a post on X.
Tremors were also felt in China’s southwest Yunnan province, according to Beijing’s quake agency, which said the jolt measured 7.9 in magnitude.
Earthquakes are rather common in Myanmar, with six severe quakes of 7.0 magnitude or greater occurring between 1930 and 1956 near the Sagaing Fault, which runs north to south across the country’s core, according to the USGS.
In 2016, a devastating 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Bagan, central Myanmar’s ancient capital, killing three people and tumbling spires and temple walls.
Experts argue that Myanmar’s cities’ rapid development, along with decaying infrastructure and poor urban planning, has made the country’s most populous places vulnerable to earthquakes and other natural calamities.
The impoverished Southeast Asian country has a stressed medical system, particularly in the rural areas.
