Yangon/Bangkok – A powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck Burma (Myanmar) and Thailand early Saturday morning , triggering panic among the population, mass evacuations and fears of possible aftershocks or tsunamis.
Epicenter and details of the earthquake
According to preliminary data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter of the earthquake was located in a mountainous area in eastern Burma , near the border with Thailand, at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers , which increases its destructive potential.
The earthquake was felt with great intensity in several major cities such as Yangon, Chiang Mai and Bangkok , where many residents ran out of their homes in the midst of the tremor.
Damages and casualties
So far, local authorities have not confirmed the exact number of victims or injured , but partial building collapses, power outages, and communication failures have been reported in areas near the epicenter. Rescue teams are already deployed in the affected areas.
Images shared on social media show cracked streets, homes with structural damage, and people in shock. In some regions, transportation services and school classes have been temporarily suspended.
Although the epicenter was not directly offshore, coastal authorities in the region issued
a tsunami warning for parts of Southeast Asia, including southern Thailand and the Bay of Bengal. The warning was lifted hours later after no significant changes in sea level were recorded.
The Thai prime minister expressed his concern and assured that the government is monitoring the situation minute by minute. Meanwhile, international organizations such as the
Red Cross and the
UN have offered assistance if needed.
This devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Burma and Thailand serves as a reminder of the region’s fragility in the face of natural disasters. Authorities urge everyone
to remain calm , follow official instructions, and be prepared for possible aftershocks. The entire world remains vigilant as this humanitarian emergency unfolds.
