Severe Earthquake in Myanmar Causes Emergency Declaration in Bangkok

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck midday, declaring an emergency in Bangkok as trading was suspended and a construction building collapsed, possibly trapping workers. The epicenter was in Myanmar’s conflict-ridden Sagaing region, and tremors were felt throughout Thailand and parts of China.

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Thailand and Myanmar midday on Friday, prompting emergency declarations in Bangkok. The tremor’s epicenter was identified in Myanmar’s Sagaing region, which has been heavily affected by ongoing civil conflict, complicating rescue and recovery efforts. Initial reports indicate a collapse of a high-rise building under construction in Bangkok, potentially trapping several workers.

According to Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention, the earthquake’s impact was felt throughout the country. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra confirmed that the government has declared a state of emergency in Bangkok due to the significant tremors experienced in the capital, which coincided with the earthquake centered in Myanmar.

In response to the seismic activity, the Stock Exchange of Thailand suspended trading for the afternoon session. The tremors were so intense that water sloshed out of rooftop pools in Bangkok, corroborating the earthquake’s strength. Additionally, the earthquake registered as a shallow tremor at about 10 kilometers deep, according to both the US Geological Survey and Germany’s GFZ center for geosciences.

As a result of the earthquake, alarms sounded in buildings, and residents were evacuated from high-rise condominiums and hotels in populated areas of central Bangkok. Although there were no immediate casualty reports, the situation remains fluid, warranting ongoing governmental assessments.

Myanmar, already facing a dire situation due to over four years of civil war following a military coup, lacks sufficient resources to manage extensive natural disasters effectively. Tremors from the earthquake extended beyond Thailand, felt in China’s Yunnan province, highlighting the quake’s significant reach.

In summary, the 7.7 magnitude earthquake has led to significant concern and emergency measures in Thailand, particularly in Bangkok. With a high-rise building collapse reported and trading halted at the Stock Exchange, the event underscores both the powerful seismic activity and the ongoing challenges faced by Myanmar due to its civil unrest. The quake’s impacts are still being assessed as the situation develops.

Original Source: m.economictimes.com