Powerful 7.7-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Central Myanmar, Felt Across Neighboring Countries
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked central Myanmar on Friday afternoon, sending tremors across neighboring countries, including Thailand and China.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake struck 16 kilometers (10 miles) north-northwest of Sagaing at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time.
Just 12 minutes later, a strong aftershock of 6.4 magnitude rattled the region, intensifying fears of further destruction.
While no immediate reports of damage or casualties have emerged from Myanmar, the country, already dealing with a prolonged civil conflict since 2021, remains on high alert.
Residents across Myanmar and neighboring nations were left shaken by the tremors. One Yangon resident, who chose to remain anonymous, shared their experience: “We felt the quake for about one minute, then we ran out of the building. We saw other people running out of buildings too. It was sudden and very strong.”
The impact of the earthquake extended beyond Myanmar’s borders. In Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, CNN journalist described chaotic scenes as light fixtures swayed, and residents rushed to evacuate. In Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, a local resident recalled, “I felt it for about ten seconds in my room, then I figured out I couldn’t stay inside, so I rushed out onto the street.”
The tremors were also felt in parts of China, with social media users reporting seismic activity in Yunnan province, which borders Myanmar, and as far as Shaanxi province.
Authorities in the affected regions are closely monitoring the situation as residents brace for potential aftershocks.
