The earthquake, which caused extensive damage and loss, has led to concerns about aftershocks and the preparedness of affected areas.
**State of Emergency in Myanmar Following Devastating 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake**
**State of Emergency in Myanmar Following Devastating 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake**
A significant seismic event has struck Myanmar, prompting immediate emergency measures across multiple regions.
A powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale rocked central Myanmar early today, according to data released by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The epicenter of the quake was located approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) northwest of Sagaing city and occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, generating intense tremors felt across regions including southwest China and Thailand.
In the aftermath, at least 81 construction workers are reportedly missing following the collapse of an unfinished skyscraper hundreds of miles away in Bangkok, as stated by Thailand's deputy prime minister. Reports indicate severe damage in Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, where rescue workers have described the situation as "enormous" with casualties expected to exceed hundreds.
Naypyidaw, the country’s capital, has also been affected, with multiple reports of roads buckling due to the quake's force. In response, Myanmar's military government has swiftly declared a state of emergency across six regions impacted by the earthquake.
The tremor struck near Mandalay, a city with a population of roughly 1.5 million, and was followed 12 minutes later by a secondary quake with a magnitude of 6.4, centered 18 kilometers (11.1 miles) south of Sagaing. An affected resident in Myanmar's largest city, Yangon, expressed concern regarding potential aftershocks, noting that he was experiencing the strongest quake in recent memory.
Eyewitness accounts fill the air with adrenaline, as Bui Thu, a BBC journalist based in Bangkok, narrated her harrowing experience during the quake, stating, "I was very nervous, I was very panicked." Many have expressed fears over the structural safety of locations in Bangkok, which are not typically designed to withstand such tremors.
The situation in Myanmar is complicated by ongoing political unrest following a military coup in 2021. The state maintains strict control over local media and restricts internet use, complicating access to timely and accurate information regarding developments surrounding the earthquake.
