By: Isuru Parakrama
March 28, World (LNW): A strong earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale struck central Myanmar on Friday (28), triggering widespread alarm as tremors were felt across neighbouring countries.
The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) reported that the quake originated at a depth of 10 kilometres, with its epicentre located near the city of Mandalay.
The seismic event caused significant concern in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, where hundreds of residents and office workers evacuated buildings in a state of panic.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as people rushed onto the streets, fearing potential aftershocks.
Reports also indicated that the tremors caused water to spill over from swimming pools in high-rise buildings, underscoring the quake’s intensity.
Whilst there were no immediate reports of casualties or structural damage from Myanmar, authorities are assessing the impact, particularly in Mandalay, a major city with a population of approximately 1.2 million.
Given the shallow depth of the earthquake, experts have warned that even moderate quakes in the region can pose risks to infrastructure, especially in areas with older buildings and limited seismic resistance.
Myanmar, located in a seismically active region along the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, has experienced devastating earthquakes in the past.
In 2016, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake caused severe damage to ancient temples in Bagan, a UNESCO World Heritage site, highlighting the country’s vulnerability to such natural disasters.
Authorities in both Myanmar and Thailand are closely monitoring the situation, with disaster response teams on standby should further tremors or aftershocks occur.
As assessments continue, regional governments are urging residents to remain vigilant and adhere to safety protocols in case of further seismic activity.
*With inputs from Reuters.
