20 killed in building collapse in Myanmar after strong earthquake jolts Southeast Asia

 

20 killed in building collapse in Myanmar after strong earthquake jolts Southeast Asia

A powerful earthquake struck Southeast Asia on Friday, March 28. At least 20 people were killed when an under-construction building collapsed in Thailand's capital Bangkok and several other buildings collapsed in Myanmar's Mandalay city.

This was reported by British Daily 'Reuters. "
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said the 7.7 -magnitude quake, which struck around noon on Friday, had an epicentre 17.2 -km away in Myanmar's Mandalay city, just 10km below the surface. Strong aftershocks were also felt after the earthquake.
According to reports, many people were killed when a mosque collapsed in the city of Mandalay. Many of them were praying.
Rescue operations are underway in the city and the death toll is expected to rise.
Massive destruction in Myanmar.
Local media reported that an old bridge over the Irrawaddy river in Mandalay had collapsed.
Many houses were damaged and trees uprooted.
Mandalay Airport and a monastery in Taunggyi were severely damaged.
A fire has been reported at Mandalay University and casualties are feared there.
"" "We have launched rescue operations and are collecting information about the damage in various areas, including Yangon," "a Myanmar Fire Service official told Reuters." "I don't have details yet." ""
Videos and pictures circulated on social media showed buildings collapsing and debris strewn across the streets of Mandalay.
"" "We all ran out of the house when the earthquake started," "a witness said." A five-storey building collapsed in front of my eyes. "The whole city has come down to the streets, no one dares to go back to the building." ""
"" "A tea shop has collapsed and several people are trapped inside," "another witness, Huat Naing Wu, told Reuters." "We couldn't get in, it was terrible." ""
A mosque was also severely damaged, a witness said.
Myanmar's junta has declared a state of emergency and appealed for international help.
Earthquakes in the history of Myanmar
Earthquakes are very common in Myanmar due to the Sagaing fault line.
Between 1930 and 1956, there were six 7.0 -magnitude earthquakes.
In 2016, a 6.8 -magnitude earthquake in the city of Bagan killed three people and damaged many ancient Buddhist temples.
The weakening of the medical system in Myanmar has raised concerns about rescue and medical services, especially in rural areas.
1 killed in Bangkok building collapse
Thailand's National Institute of Emergency Medicine said one body had been recovered from the rubble of the collapsed building in Bangkok and many workers had been rescued alive.

Witnesses in Bangkok said panic-stricken people took to the streets as the quake struck. Many hotel guests rushed out in bathing suits and gowns, while water overflowed from the swimming pool of a posh hotel.
office buildings in Bangkok.
Several office towers in Bangkok swayed for more than two minutes. The doors and windows were rattling.
Workers rushed out of the building through emergency staircases, many settling down in panic. The building was shaking, causing panic among the people gathered outside.
Rescue workers brought office chairs for the injured and panic-stricken and provided emergency medical care.
Tremors felt in China's Yunnan province
China's Xinhua news agency said the quake was also felt in Yunnan province, which borders Myanmar, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
Geologists have warned that the quake could trigger more aftershocks. The full extent of the damage has not yet been reported.
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