Devastating Earthquake Strikes Myanmar, Leaves Over 1,600 Dead
Rescue operations ongoing as the region copes with the aftermath of a powerful quake that extended impact across neighboring countries.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, resulting in widespread destruction and loss of life throughout the region.
Rescuers are urgently searching for survivors in the impacted areas, which include the epicenter located in the Sagaing region, near Mandalay, a city with a population of roughly 1.5 million and known for its historic temples and palaces.
The quake, the deadliest to hit Myanmar in years, has caused over 1,600 fatalities according to authorities, with an additional 3,400 individuals reported injured.
Approximately 140 people remain unaccounted for, with experts projecting that the death toll could ultimately exceed 10,000 as rescue efforts continue and the full scale of the disaster becomes evident.
The earthquake's tremors were felt as far away as Bangkok, Thailand, where at least 17 individuals lost their lives, primarily a result of a building that was under construction collapsing.
The rapid fall of this structure trapped dozens beneath the debris, and rescue operations continue as families await news on their missing loved ones.
Additionally, reports from Bangkok indicate around 9,500 buildings have sustained damage in the aftermath of the quake.
Authorities in Myanmar are contending with a civil conflict that has severely compromised the country's communication systems and healthcare infrastructure, further complicating the response to this disaster.
The earthquake is noted as the most intense seismic event to strike Myanmar in over a century, with the last significant quake registering a 7.9-magnitude in 1912.
Aftershocks have continued throughout the weekend, with the largest aftershock measuring 6.7 in magnitude.
Geologists indicate that the earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), which tends to magnify the destruction caused by such seismic events.
Comparatively, seismologists have characterized the energy released during this earthquake as equivalent to that of 334 atomic bombs.
The quake is attributed to the Sagaing fault, a strike-slip fault that runs north-south through Myanmar.
Experts have observed that certain regions experienced ground shifts of up to five meters (16.4 feet) in a brief period during the earthquake.
Buildings in the region, often constructed from timber or unreinforced brick, are especially vulnerable to seismic activity, exacerbating the level of destruction witnessed in the aftermath of this earthquake.
Rescuers are urgently searching for survivors in the impacted areas, which include the epicenter located in the Sagaing region, near Mandalay, a city with a population of roughly 1.5 million and known for its historic temples and palaces.
The quake, the deadliest to hit Myanmar in years, has caused over 1,600 fatalities according to authorities, with an additional 3,400 individuals reported injured.
Approximately 140 people remain unaccounted for, with experts projecting that the death toll could ultimately exceed 10,000 as rescue efforts continue and the full scale of the disaster becomes evident.
The earthquake's tremors were felt as far away as Bangkok, Thailand, where at least 17 individuals lost their lives, primarily a result of a building that was under construction collapsing.
The rapid fall of this structure trapped dozens beneath the debris, and rescue operations continue as families await news on their missing loved ones.
Additionally, reports from Bangkok indicate around 9,500 buildings have sustained damage in the aftermath of the quake.
Authorities in Myanmar are contending with a civil conflict that has severely compromised the country's communication systems and healthcare infrastructure, further complicating the response to this disaster.
The earthquake is noted as the most intense seismic event to strike Myanmar in over a century, with the last significant quake registering a 7.9-magnitude in 1912.
Aftershocks have continued throughout the weekend, with the largest aftershock measuring 6.7 in magnitude.
Geologists indicate that the earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), which tends to magnify the destruction caused by such seismic events.
Comparatively, seismologists have characterized the energy released during this earthquake as equivalent to that of 334 atomic bombs.
The quake is attributed to the Sagaing fault, a strike-slip fault that runs north-south through Myanmar.
Experts have observed that certain regions experienced ground shifts of up to five meters (16.4 feet) in a brief period during the earthquake.
Buildings in the region, often constructed from timber or unreinforced brick, are especially vulnerable to seismic activity, exacerbating the level of destruction witnessed in the aftermath of this earthquake.
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