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State of emergency declared in Bangkok after Myanmar earthquake

Friday 28 - 12:50 By: Dakir Madiha

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In response to a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has declared a state of emergency in Bangkok. The earthquake, which occurred on Friday at approximately 2:30 PM local time (06:30 GMT), was recorded at a depth of 10 kilometers and located 16 kilometers northwest of Sagaing, a city in Myanmar.

The tremors were felt across the Thai capital, where numerous buildings were evacuated. The seismic activity also disrupted transportation, leading to the suspension of certain metro lines.

Tragically, a 30-story building under construction in northern Bangkok collapsed, trapping 43 workers inside. Rescue operations are currently underway, as emergency services respond to the crisis.

Reports indicate that the earthquake's effects extended to other regions of Thailand, particularly in the north and central areas. Additionally, the quake impacted China's Yunnan province, where the Chinese seismic agency recorded a magnitude of 7.9.

As of now, authorities have not provided information regarding the earthquake's impact in Myanmar. The country is known to be situated in an active seismic zone, with a history of significant earthquakes. Between 1930 and 1956, six earthquakes of magnitude 7 or greater were documented near the Sagaing Fault that runs through Myanmar. Previous incidents include a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016 that resulted in three fatalities in Bagan, and a similar quake in 2012 that caused 26 deaths and hundreds of injuries.