On Friday, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Naypyidaw, Myanmar, felt across Thailand, China, and India. Buildings shook in Bangkok, leading to evacuations and reports of a collapse. PM Modi expressed readiness to assist affected countries, while a major hospital in Myanmar treated numerous injured. The quake was noted for its significant strength in 2023.
On Friday, a powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 in magnitude struck near Myanmar’s capital, Naypyidaw. The quake’s epicenter was identified by the US Geological Survey (USGS) as being located 16 kilometers northwest of Sagaing, at a depth of 10 kilometers. Tremors from this earthquake were felt across various regions, including northern Thailand and as far as China and India, with reports of a building collapse in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district.
Residents in northern Thailand and Bangkok experienced significant shaking, prompting many to evacuate buildings. Unconfirmed reports indicated that a structure collapsed in Bangkok, while metro and light rail services were temporarily suspended. Additionally, tremors extended into Vietnam and China’s Yunnan province, which also reported the quake.
A major hospital in Naypyidaw was designated a “mass casualty area” as numerous injured individuals were treated outside the facility. The patients displayed a range of injuries, prompting emergency responses from healthcare providers. There were no immediate reports of fatalities or extensive property damage despite the quake’s severity.
Indian Prime Minister Modi expressed his concern regarding the natural disaster, assuring assistance to Myanmar and Thailand. He communicated that India stands ready to provide all necessary support, which included alerting local authorities to prepare for potential aid initiatives.
In Bangladesh, tremors of magnitude 7.3 were felt in regions such as Dhaka and Chattogram, with no reported casualties. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department confirmed that the earthquake struck at 12:25 PM, correlating it with the Myanmar seismic event.
With ongoing assessments, the earthquake was noted as one of the strongest globally for 2023. A subsequent 6.4 magnitude tremor occurred in the same vicinity following the primary quake. Authorities remain vigilant as they monitor the situation and assess structural integrity within affected areas, although no tsunami warning has been issued as of yet.
The recent 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar caused widespread tremors felt across Thailand, China, and parts of India and Bangladesh. Numerous reports of injuries emerged, particularly in Naypyidaw, where a major hospital was designated for mass casualties. Indian officials expressed readiness to assist neighboring nations following the disaster. The event marks one of the most powerful earthquakes globally this year, drawing significant attention to the seismic activity in the region.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com