Myanmar Earthquake News: Strong earthquake of 7.7 magnitude strikes Myanmar

Myanmar Earthquake News: A strong earthquake of 7.7 magnitude hit central Myanmar Friday, the monitoring services said, also affecting Bangkok with hundreds of people running out of buildings in the Thai capital in panic after the tremors.
Although there has been no immediate word on damages, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) informed that the quake was at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). The epicentre was about 17.2 km from the city of Mandalay, which has a population about 1.2 million, according to USGS.
Witnesses quoted news agency Reuters in Bangkok said people ran out onto the streets in panic and water splashed out of swimming pools.
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Damaged pagodas are seen after an earthquake, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. (AP photo)
An officer from the Myanmar Fire Services Department told Reuters: “We have started the search and going around Yangon to check for casualties and damage. So far, we have no information yet.”
Social media posts from Mandalay, Myanmar’s ancient royal capital that is at the centre of its Buddh heartland, showed collapsed buildings and debris strewn across streets of the city. Reuters could not immediately verify the posts.

One witness in the city told Reuters: “We all ran out of the house as everything started shaking. I witnessed a five-storey building collapse in front of my eyes. Everyone in my town is out on the road and no one dares to go back inside buildings.”
Witnesses contacted in Yangon said many people ran out from buildings in the city, the largest in the country.Story continues below this ad
Witnesses in Bangkok said people ran out onto the streets in panic, many of them hotel guests in bathrobes and swimming costumes.
Children walk near a damaged monastery compound, Naypyitaw, Myanmar. (AP photo)
One office tower in downtown Bangkok swayed from side to side for at least two minutes, with doors and windows creaking loudly, witnesses said.
Hundreds of employees filed out via emergency stairs as some shocked and panicked workers froze. Loud shrieks could be heard as the building continued to move.
Outside, hundreds gathered in the afternoon sun, while staff with medical kits found office chairs for elderly and people in shock.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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