A massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake shook central Myanmar on Friday, sending shockwaves as far as Thailand and China, with many feared dead and widespread destruction reported.
The quake struck at around 12:50 p.m. local time (0620 GMT), with its epicenter located just 16 kilometers northwest of Sagaing at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
In Myanmar’s capital, Naypyidaw, roads cracked under the force of the tremor, and buildings suffered structural damage, with ceilings collapsing. Panic spread across northern Thailand and even reached the capital, Bangkok, where terrified residents fled into the streets as buildings swayed.
“I was asleep when I heard it—I ran out in my pyjamas as fast as I could,” said Duangjai, a resident of Chiang Mai, a popular tourist city in northern Thailand.
China’s earthquake monitoring agency also registered the tremor, measuring it at a staggering 7.9 magnitude in Yunnan province.
Myanmar, which sits along the seismically active Sagaing Fault, has a history of devastating earthquakes. In 2016, a 6.8-magnitude quake in the ancient city of Bagan killed three people and caused severe damage to historic temples.
With Myanmar’s healthcare system already under strain, concerns are mounting over emergency response efforts, especially in rural areas. Authorities are assessing the full scale of the damage and casualties as aftershocks continue to rattle the region.
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