Natural disasters

28 Mar, 13:57

IN BRIEF: Major earthquake strikes Southeast Asia

The quake caused casualties in Myanmar, and the United States Geological Survey predicts that the death toll could surpass 1,000

© AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn

BANGKOK, March 28. /TASS/. A powerful earthquake has taken place in Myanmar. Tremors were also felt in Thailand, China, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Vietnam.

The quake caused casualties in Myanmar; the United States Geological Survey (USGS) predicts that the death toll could surpass 1,000. Three people died in a building collapse in Bangkok, and 90 workers went missing.

Earthquake’s magnitude

- A powerful earthquake hit Myanmar.

- According to various estimates, its magnitude ranged between 7.7 and 7.9.

- The first quake was followed by another one, with magnitude 6.4.

- Tremors were also felt in Thailand, China, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Vietnam.

- Aftershocks from the Myanmar earthquake may be felt for weeks, The Nation newspaper reported, citing Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources.

Earthquake aftermath in Myanmar

- Residential and public buildings, as well as infrastructure facilities, were destroyed or damaged in Myanmar; the condition of large dams causes concern, an International Committee of the Red Cross official said.

- The quake caused a bridge across the Irrawaddy River to collapse, Myanmar Now reported. According to the media outlet, the historical Mandalay Palace was partially destroyed.

- Building collapses left at least 300 people injured, the New York Times said, citing medical sources in Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city. According to them, 20 people were killed.

- Five out of the 20 children trapped in a destroyed school building in the city of Taungoo in central Myanmar have been found dead, the Eleven Media Group (EMG) reported, citing a source.

- According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the probability that Myanmar’s death toll will exceed 1,000 people is 86%.

- The Myanmar Airways International airline announced a temporary closing of airports in the country’s capital of Naypyidaw and its second-largest city, Mandalay.

Consequences in Thailand

- A building collapsed in the Thai capital of Bangkok due to the earthquake.

- Three people were killed and 90 construction workers went missing, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said.

- The quake prompted an evacuation of high-rise buildings; the city’s subway is closed.

- A significant number of those evacuated from buildings in Bangkok still remain outdoors.

- Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared a state of emergency in Bangkok.

- Thailand’s aviation authority prohibited all airports from operating flights, The Nation newspaper reported.

- Railway traffic was suspended across Thailand.

- The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and the Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX) halted trading.

- Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra ruled out a tsunami after the powerful earthquake.

Russians in Thailand

- The Russian embassy in Thailand is trying to figure out if Russian nationals were affected by the quake.

- According to preliminary data, up to 2,000 Russian tourists could be staying in Bangkok.

- Russian diplomats in Thailand were not hurt in the quake; the embassy building remained intact.

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Natural disasters

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