A massive earthquake in Myanmar leaves hundreds dead and serious damage

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 shook Southeast Asia on Friday, leaving a devastating toll of victims and damage in Thailand and Myanmar (Burma).

The epicenter of the earthquake was located near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, and was felt in several neighboring countries, including Thailand, India, and China.

Authorities and local media reported dramatic scenes, with bodies lined up among the rubble and thousands of people trapped under collapsed buildings.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) issued a red alert, warning that the death toll could range from 1,000 to 10,000, given the magnitude of the disaster. According to initial reports, the earthquake caused extensive damage more than 500 kilometers (310 miles) from the epicenter.

In Thailand, a 30-story tower under construction in Bangkok collapsed, causing at least three deaths on site and leaving more than 90 people missing. Despite rescuers' efforts, the area is still too unstable for rescue teams to find those trapped.

The dramatic collapse of the skyscraper was captured on video by witnesses on social media, showing a crane at the top of the construction as it crumbled into a cloud of dust.

Thailand's Defense Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, reported that seven people had already been rescued, but many more remained missing.

The scene in Bangkok was chaotic, with people running through the streets in panic, some in swimwear and bathrobes, after seeing water fall from an elevated pool of a top-level hotel. Bangkok authorities declared the city a disaster zone, mobilizing emergency teams to assess the damage and assist those affected.

Meanwhile, in Myanmar, the damage was equally devastating. In the city of Taungoo, at least three people died when a mosque collapsed. At least two deaths and more than 20 injuries were also reported due to the collapse of a hotel in Aung Ban.

In Mandalay, the earthquake damaged historic buildings, including the old royal palace, and the collapse of a 90-year-old bridge in the Sagaing region. Some sections of the highway connecting Mandalay with the city of Yangon were also damaged.

The earthquake occurred around noon and was followed by a strong aftershock with a magnitude of 6.4. In the capital Naypyitaw, the tremor damaged religious temples and some homes.

The situation in Myanmar is exacerbated by the intense civil conflict in the country, which hinders the arrival of aid to the most affected regions. Myanmar authorities have declared a state of emergency in several areas, but it is uncertain how assistance will be coordinated amid the civil war.

In Thailand, authorities reported that the earthquake was felt in almost all regions of the country, including tall buildings in Bangkok, where water from skyscraper pools spilled over the sides due to the movement.

Tourists also witnessed the magnitude of the disaster. Fraser Morton, a Scottish tourist, recounted that he was in a shopping mall when the tremor began, and described scenes of panic with people running in all directions, including those trying to escape via escalators.

Paul Vincent, another British tourist, highlighted how people ran into the street screaming, while buildings swayed and water fell from rooftops.

The earthquake also had a significant impact on the Chinese border region. The Xinhua agency reported that in Tibet, on the Chinese side of the border, at least 188 people were injured due to the tremors.

Regarding the aftershocks, Bangkok residents were warned of possible new tremors and were urged to stay outside buildings to avoid greater risks.

Rescue efforts continue in both affected nations, but the difficult conditions and the magnitude of the disaster hinder operations.

Authorities in Thailand and Myanmar, along with international organizations, are preparing to mobilize resources and humanitarian aid, as the world watches the consequences of this tragic seismic event.