What we know so far

Myanmar, Thailand and Bangkok Earthquake Impact: At least 144 people were killed in an earthquake that shook Myanmar on Friday, with tremors felt in several parts of Thailand’s Bangkok and even neighbouring China. Now, the Red Cross has flagged the risk to Myanmar’s large-scale dams after the country was hit a 7.7 magnitude quake followed an aftershock of 6.4 magnitude. The earthquake’s epicentre was located about 17.2 km from Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay, which has a population of about 1.2 million. Here is everything we know about the tremors so far and the aftermath of the incident. Eyewitness account: At least 144 people were killed while 732 injured according to state-run MRTV on Telegram. “We were saying prayers when the shaking started… Three died on the spot,” said one of the people who spoke to Reuters.
State of emergency: Myanmar’s ruling military has declared a state of emergency in six regions and states, including the capital Naypyitaw and Mandalay, hours after the earthquake. “The state will make inquiries on the situation quickly and conduct rescue operations along with providing humanitarian aid,” the Junta said on the Telegram messaging app, as per Reuters. The Myanmar National Airlines also cancelled some of its flights, according to their Facebook page.
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High-rise building collapses: The quake in neighbouring Myanmar also triggered the collapse of a high-rise building in Bangkok, killing at least three. As many as 90 people remain missing, according to the Thai Defence Miner Phumtham Wechayachai. Following this, Thailand’s Capital was declared a disaster area, as per the Bangkok city hall. It further said that Bangkok governor has been made in-charge of the disaster response.

Resuce ops underway: Search operations in both Myanmar and Thailand’s Capital Bangkok are underway. An officer from the Myanmar Fire Services Department told Reuters that they were “going around Yangon to check for casualties and damage”. Meanwhile, a Bangkok emergency responder said that seven people were rescued after the high-rise collapse, as per AP.
Large dams at risk: Meanwhile, the Red Cross flagged concerns about the state of large-scale dams in the country, given the damage to the public infrastructure and buildings. “…We currently have concerns for large-scale dams that people are watching to see the conditions of them,” Reuters quoted, Marie Manrique, Program Coordinator for the International Federation of the Red Cross, as saying.
Workers at risk: There was no immediate information on the casualties near Bangkok’s popular Chatuchak market, and on the number of workers on the site of the under-construction building, AP quoted the police as saying. However, visuals of a high-rise building in the market collapsing showed the multi-storey crumbling into a cloud of dust as people near ran.Story continues below this ad
Impact in central Myanmar: As per initial reports, the impact of the Myanmar quake indicates a significant amount of damage in the central part of the country, as per an official from the United Nations Office on Humanitarian Affairs. The official further said that the agency was gathering more information on the impact, and the humanitarian aid needed there.
Mynamar public infra hit: As per a state media report cited Reuters, the quake resulted in the collapse of several buildings in five cities and towns, also damaging public infrastructure, including an expressway. However, the website, Global New Light of Myanmar, did not provide any details on the number of casualties in the country.

Subway shut: In the immediate aftermath of the quake, sirens were sounded on the streets of Bangkok as overcrowding of vehicles caused congestion in some the city’s streets. The city hall also facilitated interagency aid and emergency help, while the subway and the rapid transit system were shut down.
Strongs tremors in China: Strong tremors were felt in China’s southwestern Yunnan province, as per the country’s Xinhua news agency. However, there were no reports of casualties in the province, which borders Myanmar.

-With inputs from AP, Reuters