Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake Strikes Myanmar, Collapses Buildings

A powerful earthquake struck Southeast Asia on Friday, causing the collapse of a skyscraper under construction in Bangkok and toppling buildings in Myanmar’s second-largest city.

According to Thailand’s National Institute of Emergency Medicine, one person was killed, and dozens of workers were rescued from the rubble of the collapsed skyscraper.

In Bangkok, panic ensued as people rushed onto the streets, including hotel guests in bathrobes and swimwear, while water cascaded from an elevated pool at a luxury hotel.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake, which struck at lunchtime, had a magnitude of 7.7 and a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), followed by a powerful aftershock.

The epicenter was located about 17.2 km from Mandalay, Myanmar, a city with a population of approximately 1.5 million.

As of the time of reporting, Myanmar authorities had yet to release an official statement on the extent of the damage.

“We have started the search and are going around Yangon to check for casualties and damage. So far, we have no information yet,” an officer from the Myanmar Fire Services Department told reporters.