A magnitude 7.7 earthquake jolted central Myanmar on Friday, sending residents scrambling out of buildings in panic — with tremors felt as far as Bangkok, Thailand.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake struck at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, with its epicenter just 17 kilometers from Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city. An aftershock followed shortly after the main tremor.
In Yangon, crowds rushed into the streets as buildings swayed. Similar evacuations were reported in Bangkok, where startled hotel guests—some in robes and swimwear—fled their rooms amid blaring alarms.
While dramatic scenes of collapsed structures and debris in Mandalay surfaced on social media, these reports remain unverified. As of now, there are no confirmed casualties or major damage.
Authorities in Yangon are conducting checks across the city. “We’re still assessing the situation,” a Myanmar Fire Services officer told Reuters. The full extent of the quake’s impact remains uncertain, especially with the country still embroiled in civil conflict.
