Panic in the streets as 7.7 earthquake hits central Myanmar

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, sending tremors through cities hundreds of miles apart and pushing people onto the streets in fear—some still in bathrobes.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake’s epicenter was just over 10 miles beneath the surface and about 10.7 miles (17.2 km) from Mandalay, a major city home to around 1.2 million people. The shallow depth made it more intense for those on the ground.

How far did the earthquake reach?

Though the quake hit central Myanmar, its effects rippled well beyond national borders. In Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, witnesses reported people fleeing buildings in panic as the tremors hit. The chaos wasn’t limited to Myanmar. In Bangkok, Thailand’s capital over 500 miles away, hotel guests scrambled onto the streets—some in swimwear, still dripping from rooftop pools.

A strong aftershock followed the initial quake, compounding fears and pushing people to remain outdoors.

Is there any damage or casualties?

So far, Myanmar authorities have reported no confirmed casualties or major damage, but that may change. A Myanmar Fire Services Department officer told Reuters that search operations had begun in Yangon, though information was still scarce.

Online, videos and photos claimed to show buildings reduced to rubble in Mandalay, with debris blocking roads. These posts remain unverified, but the images echo what you’d expect after a quake of this strength and depth.

For now, authorities are racing to assess the damage, especially in more remote areas that may not be able to report in quickly.

Why this quake matters

Earthquakes are common in Myanmar, which sits on major fault lines, but a 7.7 magnitude event is significant. It’s strong enough to cause widespread destruction, particularly in areas with older buildings or limited infrastructure resilience. That it was felt so strongly in Bangkok underlines just how powerful it was.

While the region catches its breath, emergency teams continue to fan out from Yangon.

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