Scores dead, many missing as quakes rock Myanmar, Thailand
BANGKOK, 3 days ago
A powerful earthquake rocked Myanmar and neighboring Thailand on Friday, destroying buildings, a bridge and a dam. More than 150 people were killed in Myanmar, where photos and video from two hard-hit cities showed extensive damage.
In Thailand, Bangkok city authorities said 10 people were killed, 16 injured and 101 missing from three construction sites, including the high-rise, reported Associated Press.
The full extent of death, injury and destruction was not immediately clear — particularly in Myanmar, one of the world’s poorest countries. It is embroiled in a civil war, and information is tightly controlled.
“The death toll and injuries are expected to rise,” the head of Myanmar’s military government, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing said as he announced on television that at least 144 people were killed and 730 others were injured in his country, said media reports.
The midday temblor with an epicenter near Mandalay, Myanmar's second largest city, was followed by a strong 6.4 magnitude aftershock, reported BBC.
Myanmar's military-run government declared a state of emergency in six regions and states including the capital Naypyitaw and Mandalay, but with the country in the midst of a prolonged bloody civil war it was not clear how help would get to many regions.
The Red Cross said downed power lines are adding to challenges for their teams trying to reach Mandalay and Sagaing regions and southern Shan state.
“Initial reports from the ground suggest the earthquake has caused significant damage,” reported BBC citing the Red Cross. “Information on humanitarian needs is still being gathered.”
The first jolt was followed by a 6.4-magnitude earthquake 12 minutes later, according to the US Geological Survey on Friday.
Early in the morning reports said a person was killed, and 43 others were trapped in a high-rise building under construction in the Chatuchak district, Bangkok, Thai PBS reported.
Thailand's Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said 90 people were missing and three are confirmed dead at the site where a high-rise building under construction collapsed.
Wechayachai offered no more details about the ongoing rescue efforts but first responders said that seven people had been rescued so far from outside the collapsed building, reported the Associated Press.
A dramatic video of the building's collapse near Bangkok’s popular Chatuchak market circulated on social media showed the multi-story building with a crane on top toppling into a cloud of dust, while onlookers screamed and ran.
Elsewhere, people in Bangkok evacuated from their buildings were cautioned to stay outside in case there were more aftershocks.
The sound of sirens echoed throughout central Bangkok and vehicles filled the street, leaving some of the city’s already congested streets gridlocked. The elevated rapid transit system and subway were shut down.
City hall declared the city a disaster area to facilitate interagency aid and emergency help. The greater Bangkok area is home to more than 17 million people, many of whom live in high-rise apartments, said the AP report.
April Kanichawanakul, who works in an office building in Bangkok’s city center, at first didn’t even realize it was an earthquake, the first she’d ever experienced. “I just thought I was dizzy,” she said.
She and her colleagues ran downstairs from the tenth floor of their building, Tonson Tower, and waited outside for a signal that it was safe to go back in, it added.
In Myanmar, widespread distruction was reported by local media. A monastery in Taungoo City in Myanmar collapsed, killing five displaced children, reported Eleven Media Group.
At least 20 people were killed as the quake hit Shwe Pho Shing Mosque in the Mandalay Region during Friday prayers, reported Khit Thit media.
“It collapsed while we were worshipping. About three mosques collapsed. There are people trapped. At least 20 people have died now. The death toll could be higher. The Shwe Pho Shing Mosque has also collapsed,” a rescue worker said.
The historic Ava Bridge in Mandalay was also reported to have collapsed during the quake, while the historic Mandalay Palace was damaged.
Thai authorities meanwhile declared Bangkok an “emergency zone” following the quake, according to the Thai PBS News.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand halted trading due to the earthquake, reported the Thai Enquirer.
A major hospital in the capital, Nay Pyi Taw is also reported to have received many casualties. Both tremors, having a 10-km depth, affected mobile phone communications.
