7.7-magnitude earthquake hits Myanmar, tremors felt in five countries

New Delhi: A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar at 11:50 am on Friday, with tremors felt in India, Thailand, Bangladesh, and China.

The US Geological Survey and the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) reported that the quake’s epicenter was 16 km northwest of Sagaing at a depth of 10 km.

The full extent of the damage in Myanmar is yet to be determined. However, in Bangkok, 43 people were buried after an under-construction building collapsed.

Hundreds of people evacuated homes and offices across the affected countries.

In response to the devastation, Thailand’s Prime Minister Pyongtarn Shinawatra has declared a state of emergency.