India felt mild tremors of the Myanmar earthquake in Kolkata in West Bengal, Imphal in Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram and Meghalya, provinces that border Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern, saying India stands ready to offer all possible assistance to Myanmar and Thailand.

The earthquake has rocked many parts of Thailand, including its capital Bangkok, the venue for next week's summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation regional grouping that is scheduled to be attended by Modi among other leaders.

"Concerned by the situation in the wake of the Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Praying for the safety and wellbeing of everyone," Modi said on 'X'.

"India stands ready to offer all possible assistance. In this regard, asked our authorities to be on standby. Also asked the MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) to remain in touch with the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand."

For Rajiamuchan Burgin, a resident of Thailand's capital city, the earthquake on Friday afternoon was the "severest earthquake (that I experienced) since I was born". Rajiamuchan was driving her car in downtown Bangkok and was stuck in a traffic jam when she felt the tremors.

"My car was shaking while the road signs also swung from left to right. My mind went blind and I was frozen at the moment," she said.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra put the capital city of Bangkok under a state of emergency following a strong earthquake in Myanmar that shook countries the region, including China and Thailand.

Apart from Bangkok, tremors were also felt in the northern Thailand provinces including Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on midday Friday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand announced "the immediate suspension of all trading activities" for the afternoon session. Trading was also suspended at Thailand's Market for Alternative Investment and the Thailand Futures Exchange.

Transportation was disrupted with the Bangkok Mass Transit System suspending operations on the Sukhumvit Line while the Air Traffic Control issuing a nationwide no-fly order for all airports in Thailand.

Later in the afternoon, the Airports of Thailand Public Company announced on Friday that six airports under its management, including those in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, have resumed normal operations as of 2:30 pm.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has declared the Thai capital a Level 2 disaster zone. He ordered the setting up an earthquake response command center, chaired the emergency meeting and instructed all districts and hospitals to assess damages.

Authorities issued nationwide alerts, advised the public via SMS and media, and mobilize security forces. Airports, hospitals, and transport are on standby.

Thailand's police and military were evacuating people from unsafe buildings, aiding victims, and managing traffic. Police hospitals were on standby for emergencies.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai visited the collapsed construction site in the district of Chatuchak in Bangkok where three fatalities have been confirmed, according to a report by online newspaper The Nation.

Phumtham identified two major collapse sites: the 34-story Budget Bureau building in Chatuchak and a three-story building in Bang Khun Thian, Bangkok's southernmost district.

When Rajiamuchan rolled down her car window to talk with a driver nearby, she said: "We just felt hard to believe. And it was really scary as we were all afraid of the possibility that the road may fall apart, but feel helpless because we could do nothing to it. I could only pray that it won't happen with another hit."

This reporter of China Daily personally experienced the sudden and intense shaking on Friday afternoon. It continued for a few seconds, paused briefly, and then resumed for another ten or more seconds.

Running out to a nearby parking lot, this reporter found streetlights on an elevated expressway, which was about 100 meters away from her, shaking violently.

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in its latest report that the Meteorological Department and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation are closely monitoring the situation and have warned of possible aftershocks. The Thai Meteorological Department will provide updates through its Facebook account.

Government agencies have likewise issued respective directives to manage the situation. The Ministry of Education has ordered the closure of schools nationwide, the Ministry of Public Health is establishing emergency response centers while the Ministry of Interior has instructed provincial governors to activate command centers.

Department stores in Metro Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Chiang Rai, Lampang and Phitsanuloke are temporarily closed until further notice.

A 7.9-magnitude earthquake rocked Myanmar on Friday, causing widespread damage in Mandalay, the country's second-largest city. At Mandalay International Airport, alarms blared as staff evacuated passengers to open areas. Video footage shows an aircraft on the tarmac shaking violently during aftershocks.

Source: Mekong News Network

A 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, with its epicenter about 17 km from the country’s second-largest city, Mandalay, which suffered extensive damage. The quake destroyed the iconic Mahamuni Pagoda and cracked highways in the region.

Mandalay International Airport also sustained heavy damage, leading to the temporary suspension of operations at Naypyidaw and Mandalay airports and the cancellation of all flights.

Source: Mekong News Network, Myanmar Insider

BANGKOK - The Chinese Consulate General in Thailand's Chiang Mai Friday advised Chinese nationals in the country to stay on alert against possible aftershocks after a strong quake jolted Myanmar.

The Chinese consulate general said in a statement that the strong earthquake struck Myanmar earlier in the day, with noticeable tremors felt in northern Thailand, including Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son provinces.

Some tourist attractions in Pai District of Mae Hong Son have collapsed as a result of the quake, it said.

The Chinese consulate general urged Chinese nationals in Thailand to closely follow official early warning information to be released by Thai authorities, and avoid staying on higher floors.

In the event of an earthquake, it asked Chinese nationals to remain calm and seek safe shelter as quickly as possible.

The Myanmar Fire Service Department said a 7.7-magnitude earthquake jolted central Myanmar, with the epicenter at a depth of 10.0 km, on Friday. The tremor caused "considerable damage" in some parts of Myanmar.

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake, followed by a second, 6.4-magnitude quake within an hour, hit central Myanmar on Friday, causing tremors across Southeast Asia. Videos showed that the ceiling of Mandalay International Airport had collapsed, leading to cancellation of all flights. The Sagaing and Magway regions, northeastern Shan State, and the cities of Mandalay and Naypyidaw declared states of emergency.

Following the 7.9-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on Friday, two individuals sustained minor injuries in Ruili of Dehong Dai and Jingpo autonomous prefecture, Yunnan province, according to CCTV News.

The city's information office said the two injured at the Fortune Mall have been promptly taken to a hospital for treatment, and there have been no reported casualties. However, several old buildings have suffered damage. The city has maintained stable social order with normal traffic and communication.

A 7.9-magnitude earthquake rocked Myanmar at 2:20 pm on Friday, as reported by the China Earthquake Networks Center. The earthquake's epicenter was at a depth of 30 kilometers. Seismic waves reverberated across multiple regions in Southwest China, particularly Yunnan province.

In the aftermath, a video showcasing the damage to the Fortune Mall has garnered significant attention on social media platforms.

A merchant at the mall told Nanfang Metropolis Daily over the phone that during the incident, a female employee in her shop witnessed another female employee from a nearby bubble tea store being struck on the head by falling debris, resulting in a head injury and profuse bleeding.

The injured individual was swiftly transported to receive medical treatment, she said.

She further elaborated that because of the earthquake, the rooftop water tank on the 30th floor of the Fortune Mall "might have been damaged", leading to a substantial outpouring of water.

Additionally, various objects such as wall tiles, bricks, and signage from the exterior of the building had fallen, causing damage. Streetlights in the adjacent open area were also destroyed by the falling debris.

Footage from surveillance cameras provided by the merchant depicted a scene where a torrent of water cascaded down, knocking down several individuals.

Basically, all occupants were able to evacuate unharmed, she said, adding that no injuries have been heard so far.

YANGON - More than 50 people were killed and 300 injured in a strong earthquake hit Myanmar on Friday, according to local media reports. Local authorities have taken various proactive measures to carry out rescue operations. Authorities have called on the public to donate blood and provide assistance to the injured.

The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.7, jolted 16 km NNW of Sagaing, Myanmar earlier in the day, the US Geological Survey said.

The epicenter, with a depth of 10.0 km, was initially determined to be at 22.01 degrees north latitude and 95.92 degrees east longitude.

The quake caused "considerable damage" to some buildings, including the walled fort of Mandalay Palace.

Multiple structures in Mandalay Region suffered collapses, while several roads linking Mandalay and Yangon were damaged or blocked, disrupting transportation.

Xinhua reporters in Yangon reported that the tremors were strongly felt in the capital of Nay Pyi Taw and the largest city of Yangon. Some schools and office buildings in Nay Pyi Taw were also reported to have crumbled.

The Myanmar Fire Service Department said that a rescue operation has been conducted in response to the earthquake.

Myanmar's National Disaster Management Committee declared a state of emergency across six regions in the southeast Asian country.

The Myanmar government will promptly conduct damage assessments and emergency relief efforts in the affected areas, ensuring the provision of necessary disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, according to the State Administration Council.

Following the earthquake, Xinhua reporters in Vientiane, capital of Laos, Bangkok, capital of Thailand, and Hanoi, capital of Vietnam reported that strong tremors were felt in those areas as well.

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

A 30-story building under construction collapsed in the Thai capital, resulting in three deaths. An earlier report said 43 people went missing due to the collapse.

In Vientiane, buildings above three stories experienced noticeable shaking, with residents in high-rise buildings feeling intense swaying indoors.

In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, residents living in high-rise buildings also experienced noticeable shaking while at home.

Yunnan Earthquake Agency explained why no warning information was received after the 7.9-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on their Sina Weibo account on Friday, saying the quake was approximately 300 kilometers from the nearest warning station in China. There are no earthquake warning stations networked outside the country.

According to the agency, its earthquake early warning system is capable of providing information on earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 and above within a range of 50 kilometers around Yunnan province.

This situation exceeds the current response capability of the earthquake early warning system; hence, no warning signal was issued, it said.

A 7.9-magnitude earthquake rocked Myanmar at 2:20 pm on Friday, as reported by the China Earthquake Networks Center. The earthquake's epicenter was at a depth of 30 kilometers. Seismic waves reverberated across multiple regions in Southwest China, particularly Yunnan province.

Video shows an ambulance rushes by and collapsed buildings in Mandalay city after a massive 7.9-magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar.

Source: Mekong News Network

(Video source: Yunnan Fire and Rescue)

A 7.9-magnitude earthquake rocked Myanmar at 2:20 pm on Friday, as reported by the China Earthquake Networks Center. The earthquake's epicenter was at a depth of 30 kilometers. Seismic waves reverberated across multiple regions in Southwest China, particularly Yunnan province.

Tremors were felt for a few minutes in Yangon as the powerful 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar.

Source: Mekong News Network

A 7.9-magnitude earthquake rocked Myanmar at 2:20 pm on Friday, as reported by the China Earthquake Networks Center. The earthquake's epicenter was at a depth of 30 kilometers. Seismic waves reverberated across multiple regions in Southwest China.

According to cnr.cn, by 2:50 pm, the emergency management bureau of Ruili of Dehong Dai and Jingpo autonomous prefecture, Yunnan province, confirmed that the earthquake had damaged buildings and injured residents. Local authorities have mobilized rescue teams to respond to the situation, and relief efforts are underway.

The earthquake's epicenter was approximately 294 kilometers from the nearest Chinese border, resulting in strong tremors felt in several regions in Yunnan province, including Xishuangbanna, Dehong, Kunming, Lijiang, Baoshan and Dali. Reports of seismic activity have also been received from regions in Guizhou province and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

The earthquake in Myanmar on Friday may trigger a local tsunami, but China's Ministry of Natural Resources said the tsunami will not affect the coastal areas of China, China Central Television reported.

Based on preliminary earthquake parameters, the earthquake may trigger a local tsunami around the epicenter, but as the epicenter is located outside the Pacific region, it will not affect the coastal areas of China, according to the National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center, which is also the tsunami warning center, of the ministry.

A 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar with a depth of 30 kilometers at 2:20 pm on Friday Beijing time, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

The earthquake was strongly felt in Yangon, the largest city of Myanmar. Several places in Southwest China's Yunnan province also experienced noticeable tremors.

A 7.9-magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar at 2:20 pm on Friday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

(Video by Yang Wanli in Bangkok)

The epicenter was monitored at 21.85 degrees north latitude and 95.95 degrees east longitude, with a depth of 30 kilometers, said CENC in an online post.

The tremors were strongly felt in the capital Naypyitaw and Myanmar's largest city of Yangon, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The quake was also felt across Thailand, with strong tremors reported in Bangkok. Tremors lasted for several minutes, prompting residents to evacuate high-rise buildings and gather in the streets, worsening traffic congestion in downtown Bangkok.

Bangkok police said a high-rise building under construction collapsed as a result of the earthquake. However, possible casualties remained unknown as of 2:40 pm. 

Thailand's stock exchange said on Friday it is on full halt after the earthquake.

Reports showed the earthquake epicenter located 294 km from the nearest Chinese border. Strong tremors were reported in Southwest China's Yunnan province.

According to the CENC, the earthquake is the strongest detected in the world so far this year and the 17th earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 and above.

At 2:32 pm, another 6.4-magnitude earthquake was reported in Myanmar.

Contact the writers at kelly@chinadailyapac.com

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced on Friday a state of emergency in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, after a strong earthquake.

A 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar at 2:20 pm Friday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

Powerful tremors were felt in neighboring countries, including China and Thailand.

The State Audit building, which was under construction in Chatuchak district, Bangkok, completely collapsed due to earthquake tremors, according to Khaosod news portal.

Thailand's stock exchange suspended trading after the earthquake.

"Following the earthquake incident, the Stock Exchange of Thailand hereby announces the immediate suspension of all trading activities," the bourse operator said on its website.

"The closure affects all markets, including SET, the Market for Alternative Investment (MAI), and the Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX), for today's afternoon session."

This reporter of China Daily in Bangkok, was having lunch when suddenly everything started shaking. The shake continued for a few seconds, paused briefly, and then resumed for another ten or more seconds. It was intense.

After running out to a parking lot nearby, Yang said she could see streetlight on an elevated expressway, which was about 100 meters away from her, shaking violently.

BEIJING -- A 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar at 2:20 pm Friday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

The epicenter was monitored at 21.85 degrees north latitude and 95.95 degrees east longitude. The quake struck at a depth of 30 km, said a report issued by the CENC.