Two powerful earthquakes struck Myanmar on Friday, sending shockwaves across the region and jolting residents as far away as Thailand and China.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a magnitude 7.7 earthquake followed by a magnitude 6.4 aftershock, both centered near the city of Sagaing in central Myanmar.
The first quake struck at around 12:50 p.m. local time, just 16 kilometers northwest of Sagaing, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, according to the USGS.
The China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) reported a slightly stronger measurement of 7.9, with tremors felt in Yunnan province, Xinhua news agency said.
Chaos in the Streets
In Myanmar’s administrative capital Naypyidaw, the impact was immediate.
According to AFP and Reuters, roads buckled under the stress, and chunks of ceilings collapsed inside public buildings. Emergency services and residents were seen scrambling as aftershocks rolled through the area.
In neighbouring Thailand, high-rise buildings in Bangkok swayed, and startled residents rushed outside.
“I heard it and I was sleeping in the house, I ran as far as I could in my pyjamas out of the building,” said Duangjai, a resident in the city of Chiang Mai, speaking to AFP.
She wasn’t alone—many residents poured into the streets, alarmed by the sudden and intense shaking.
In some areas, tremors were powerful enough to cause water to slosh out of swimming pools.
No Tsunami Threat Reported—Yet
So far, there has been no tsunami warning issued, but authorities across the region are closely monitoring the situation.
Myanmar’s remote location and limited infrastructure make it difficult to immediately assess the full scope of damage or casualties.
Seismologists say the shallow depth of the quakes increases the potential for significant surface-level damage, particularly in older structures and densely populated areas.
Rescue efforts are expected to ramp up as officials in Myanmar assess the aftermath. In Thailand and southern China, civil protection agencies have also been put on alert as aftershocks remain a possibility in the coming hours or days.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
