A catastrophic earthquake has hit Myanmar, resulting in over 1,000 fatalities and thousands more injured. The quake's epicenter was near the city of Sagaing, affecting not only Myanmar but also regions in Thailand and China. Information from the region remains scarce due to a military-controlled media landscape, complicating rescue efforts.
Major Earthquake Rocks Myanmar: Death Toll Surpasses 1,000
Major Earthquake Rocks Myanmar: Death Toll Surpasses 1,000
A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, causing substantial damage and loss of life, with hundreds reported missing.
Article Text:
A devastating earthquake has struck central Myanmar, leaving a trail of destruction and despair in its wake. The magnitude-7.7 quake, registered by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), hit near the city of Sagaing, approximately 16 km (10 miles) northwest of the city and close to the populous Mandalay. The initial quake occurred at around 12:50 local time (06:20 GMT), followed by a significant aftershock measured at 6.4 just 12 minutes later.
In the aftermath, reports from various parts of Myanmar indicate widespread structural damage, with buildings crumbling and roads buckling across the nation. The current death toll has exceeded 1,000, predominantly from fatalities occurring in Mandalay, where rescue operations are underway. Eyewitness accounts report harrowing scenes as teams work tirelessly, often with limited resources, to unearth victims trapped beneath rubble.
The ramifications of this earthquake extend beyond Myanmar's borders, with tremors felt in neighboring Thailand and southwestern China. In the Thai capital Bangkok, an unfinished high-rise building collapsed due to the quake's tremors, resulting in six confirmed deaths and around 100 construction workers still unaccounted for, prompting ongoing rescue efforts.
Securing accurate information about the earthquake's impact proves challenging due to Myanmar's restrictive military regime, which has suppressed independent media and controlled communications following a coup in 2021. Many regions affected by the quake lack electricity and stable mobile service, further complicating the flow of information.
Travel advisories have been issued, warning tourists and residents about the potential for aftershocks and the precarious situation in both Myanmar and Thailand. The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has advised against all non-essential travel in parts of Myanmar and cautioned travelers in Thailand and Laos to be vigilant.
Geologically, the earthquake's shallow depth of about 10 km is attributed to its severe impact, shaking buildings and infrastructure more violently than deeper quakes typically do. Comparatively, historical major earthquakes, such as the 2004 Indian Ocean quake which killed around 228,000 people, underscore the devastating potential of seismic activities, highlighting the urgency of rescue and recovery efforts in Myanmar as the nation grapples with this catastrophic event.
A devastating earthquake has struck central Myanmar, leaving a trail of destruction and despair in its wake. The magnitude-7.7 quake, registered by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), hit near the city of Sagaing, approximately 16 km (10 miles) northwest of the city and close to the populous Mandalay. The initial quake occurred at around 12:50 local time (06:20 GMT), followed by a significant aftershock measured at 6.4 just 12 minutes later.
In the aftermath, reports from various parts of Myanmar indicate widespread structural damage, with buildings crumbling and roads buckling across the nation. The current death toll has exceeded 1,000, predominantly from fatalities occurring in Mandalay, where rescue operations are underway. Eyewitness accounts report harrowing scenes as teams work tirelessly, often with limited resources, to unearth victims trapped beneath rubble.
The ramifications of this earthquake extend beyond Myanmar's borders, with tremors felt in neighboring Thailand and southwestern China. In the Thai capital Bangkok, an unfinished high-rise building collapsed due to the quake's tremors, resulting in six confirmed deaths and around 100 construction workers still unaccounted for, prompting ongoing rescue efforts.
Securing accurate information about the earthquake's impact proves challenging due to Myanmar's restrictive military regime, which has suppressed independent media and controlled communications following a coup in 2021. Many regions affected by the quake lack electricity and stable mobile service, further complicating the flow of information.
Travel advisories have been issued, warning tourists and residents about the potential for aftershocks and the precarious situation in both Myanmar and Thailand. The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has advised against all non-essential travel in parts of Myanmar and cautioned travelers in Thailand and Laos to be vigilant.
Geologically, the earthquake's shallow depth of about 10 km is attributed to its severe impact, shaking buildings and infrastructure more violently than deeper quakes typically do. Comparatively, historical major earthquakes, such as the 2004 Indian Ocean quake which killed around 228,000 people, underscore the devastating potential of seismic activities, highlighting the urgency of rescue and recovery efforts in Myanmar as the nation grapples with this catastrophic event.
