AFP reports that the United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar Friday at 12:50 local time (about 2:20p.m. Taipei time). The epicenter was in Sagaing Province in central Myanmar, at a depth of 10 kilometers.
The earthquake was also recorded at 7.7 by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC), followed by 6.4 aftershocks which were felt in Bangkok Thailand, where it is reported that many people fled their buildings. Witnesses in the Thai capital said residents could be seen running into the street in a panic, with pools sloshing in the strong shaking.
Reuters reported the earthquake as a 6.9 magnitude as per information from the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), which also cited the epicenter of the quake near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city. Local residents and authorities worry about structural damage and further aftershocks following the quake.
Impact assessments are currently underway in affected areas, with emergency response teams on high-alert.
This is a developing story.