Latest information on the strong earthquake in Myanmar (photo)

On March 28, earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.7 and 6.4 occurred in Myanmar. The tremors were also felt in China and Thailand.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the first, stronger earthquake struck in the central part of Myanmar around 12:50 PM local time on Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was located at a depth of 10 kilometers.

About 12 minutes later, a second earthquake occurred.

The epicenter of the earthquake was located 16 km northwest of the city of Sagaing, near the country's second-largest city, Mandalay, which has a population of 1.2 million.

This area is located approximately 100 km north of Myanmar's capital, Naypyidaw. Journalists from AFP in Naypyidaw reported that as a result of the strong underground tremors, roads were cracked, and water was pouring down from the ceilings of buildings.

A member of Myanmar's fire service told Reuters, "We have started search operations and are inspecting [the country's largest city] Yangon to check for casualties and damages. So far, we have no information on this matter."

One resident of Yangon told CNN that after the strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7, aftershocks were felt for several minutes.

"The tremor was very strong and lasted for three to four minutes. The building where my house is located was shaking," he said.

According to him, the internet was working without interruptions, but there was no possibility of making phone calls for another 30 minutes after the earthquake.

One resident of Mandalay told Reuters about the destruction:

"We ran out of the house when everything around started shaking. I saw a five-story building collapse before my eyes. Everyone in my city is on the street; no one dares to return to the buildings."

One witness, Htet Naing U, told reporters that a tea shop collapsed in Mandalay, trapping several people inside.

"We couldn't get in," he said. "The situation is very bad."

The Myanmar government has not yet reported on the damage caused. It has been reported that the royal palace in Mandalay was damaged and a bridge over the Irrawaddy River collapsed.

The military junta in Myanmar declared a "state of emergency" in the Sagaing, Mandalay, Bago, and Magway regions, as well as in the eastern part of Shan State and the capital Naypyidaw.

Initial information about casualties

The Prime Minister of Thailand, Petongtarn Chinavat, ordered the Ministry of Interior to declare Bangkok a disaster zone, according to CNN citing the Prime Minister's office.

According to local residents and the national emergency agency, the earthquake was felt throughout Thailand, including in the capital Bangkok and the northern city of Chiang Mai.

As a result of the earthquake, a 30-story building under construction in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok collapsed. Initial reports indicated that 43 workers were trapped under the rubble, and another 7 were injured.

Associated Press reported, based on the Thai Defense Minister, that three people were killed here, and at least 90 others are considered missing.

The Khaosod newspaper in Thailand reported that the fate of at least 300 workers remains unknown.

The hospital in Mandalay, near the epicenter of the earthquake, confirmed to The New York Times reporter that 20 people had died.

Additionally, according to witnesses, at least three people died when a mosque building partially collapsed in Taungoo, Myanmar. Local reports indicate that two more people died in Aungban, where a hotel building collapsed, according to Reuters.

The governor of Bangkok, Chadchart Sittipun, reported that many skyscrapers in the city were damaged, but the exact number is still unknown.

Witnesses in Bangkok told the media that people panicked and ran into the streets in bathrobes and pajamas.

Videos showed water flowing from a pool on the upper floor of one of the skyscrapers onto the street due to the earthquake.

The Greater Bangkok area (which includes Bangkok and five surrounding provinces) has a population of over 17 million. Most people live in skyscrapers.

The Thai government has warned that new tremors may occur within the next 24 hours.

Social media users in China reported strong tremors in Yunnan province, which borders Myanmar, as well as in Guangxi province.

The information about the earthquake in Yunnan has also been confirmed by China's Xinhua news agency, but details have not yet been disclosed.