Image Caption: A witness to the January 7, 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Tibet describes their escape and the devastation in the affected area to a Dajiyuan reporter. (Photo provided by interviewee to Dajiyuan)
[People News] A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake has shaken Southeast Asia, with tremors felt even as far as Bangkok, Thailand. Residents rushed into the streets, and water from rooftop swimming pools spilled over onto roads. A government audit building in Bangkok, which had been structurally completed nearly a year ago, collapsed entirely within seconds, leaving multiple people missing. Records show that the collapsed building was constructed by China Railway No. 10 Bureau. At the time of the incident, it was already in the glass curtain wall installation stage. Online videos have surfaced of a China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) promotional clip from last year, showing a red banner with the words "Successful Completion of Structural Work" hanging on the building. Several Chinese workers were seen holding a banner celebrating the structural completion milestone.
According to Radio Free Asia (RFA), citing the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake struck at 12:50 PM Myanmar time at a shallow depth of approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles), classifying it as a shallow earthquake, which typically causes more surface destruction.
The epicenter was located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city. Just minutes after the initial quake, a 6.4-magnitude aftershock followed.
Social media posts from Mandalay showed multiple collapsed buildings and streets filled with rubble. An eyewitness confirmed to RFA that the city’s landmark Ava Bridge had collapsed.
According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), in the capital Naypyidaw, roads cracked, and large chunks of debris fell from building ceilings. Several residents told RFA's Burmese service that numerous buildings, including Buddhist temples, suffered severe damage.
This catastrophic event has raised concerns about Myanmar’s ability to effectively deliver disaster relief, as the country has been in civil conflict since the 2021 military coup that overthrew the democratically elected government.
The Myanmar military junta has declared a state of emergency in the affected regions, stating that six major areas have suffered severe destruction: Shan State, Mandalay Region, Sagaing Region, Bago Region, Magway Region, Administrative capital Naypyidaw.
In an official statement, the junta said, "The government will swiftly assess the disaster situation, initiate rescue operations, and provide humanitarian aid."
By Friday evening, rescue workers told RFA Burmese that in Taungoo, Bago Region, at least 10 residents, including five children, had died, while local hospitals were treating at least 30 injured individuals.
According to Reuters, in Bangkok, a skyscraper under construction collapsed, triggering alarms at the site. Rescue teams are working to free 81 people trapped under the rubble.
Public transportation has also been disrupted: Several subway and light rail services were temporarily suspended. Major roads are heavily congested as large numbers of people try to evacuate the city center
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced on the social media platform X that she canceled her official visit to Phuket immediately after the earthquake and convened an emergency meeting to address the disaster.
Meanwhile, in China, the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) reported significant tremors in Yunnan Province. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it is "closely monitoring" the situation.
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