On Friday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that Myanmar experienced two back-to-back earthquakes, registering magnitudes of 7.7 and 6.4 on the Richter scale. The earthquake’s epicentre was noted to be in central Myanmar, about 50 kilometres east of Monywa city.
The famous Ava Bridge in Mandalay, Myanmar fell during the earthquake, and a mosque suffered partial collapse, resulting in the deaths of at least three individuals. A hospital announced it was a “mass casualty area” after multiple buildings collapsed and roads split apart, leading the ruling junta to issue an unusual plea for international assistance.
The number of fatalities from the earthquakes in Myanmar has increased to 107, with 103 occurring in Myanmar. In Thailand, there were four fatalities and more than 50 injuries recorded. Moreover, two individuals sustained injuries in China.
Multiple regions in Thailand experienced vibrations from the earthquake. At least three individuals lost their lives, and numerous workers were trapped after a skyscraper under construction fell in Bangkok due to the earthquake.
Worries about the condition of major dams in Myanmar have increased following a strong earthquake that affected structures and public facilities. “We are presently worried about major dams that individuals are observing to assess their conditions,” stated Marie Manrique, Program Coordinator for the International Federation of the Red Cross.
The Mandalay Palace in Myanmar, constructed by the royal family during the 1850s and renovated in the 1990s, suffered significant damage in the earthquake. Several pictures displayed significant destruction on the walls, and at least one interior structure has fallen down.
The Red Cross reported “significant damage” in Myanmar after two strong earthquakes, with the casualty count anticipated to be in the “hundreds,” as per the BBC. A state of emergency has been announced in six areas.
Authorities are urgently working to save many others thought to be stuck beneath the debris of the fallen high-rise in Bangkok, according to the National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEM). The regional governor has advised residents to remain vigilant after several high-rise structures were impacted.
