Shocking footage shows swimming pool water cascading from the top of highrise buildings in Thailand as a catastrophic earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday morning and was felt across large parts of South-East Asia. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) the massive quake originated northwest of Sagaing, Myanmar, at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles). A 6.4 magnitude aftershock was felt around 12 minutes later near Mandalay. The USGS added has issued a red alert, listing the affected countries as Bangladesh, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and China.
According to Myanmar’s state media outlet, the Global New Light, a number of buildings have collapsed in five cities and towns in the country, though it didn’t provide details on whether there were caulties. It also reported that two bridges collapsed and an expressway was damaged following the quake earlier today, as reported by Sky News. Authorities fear hundreds may have been killed.
Myanmar’s neighbour, Thailand, was among the areas tremors wrought havoc in, with an under-construction skyscraper collapsing in the capital Bangkok. Around 90 people are missing and at least three people have been killed, the Thai defence minister said in an update.
A dramatic video which circulated on social media showed the building crumpling near the city’s popular Chatuchak market as bystanders ran for safety.
Video shared on social media also showed large amounts of water spilling from swaying skyscrapers in the city, sending buckets of water plummeting to the streets below.
People were evacuated from their buildings and warned to remain outside in case further aftershocks ocurred.
The horror quake has also sparked fears of a tsunami being unleashed, with the Tsunami Warning Centre of China’s Ministry of Natural Resources assessing local tsunamis may occur.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said his country would offer Myanmar all the help it needs, writing on X that he is, “Concerned by the situation in the wake of the Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand,” adding: “India stands ready to offer all possible assistance.”
Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention said the quake was felt in almost all regions of the country, as per AP.
The country’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra called an emergency meeting to assess the impact of the quake.
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