Strong Earthquake Shakes Bangkok, Leading to Mass Evacuations

A strong 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Bangkok on Friday, leading to evacuations and causing buildings to sway. The epicenter was located in Myanmar, while no immediate casualties or damage were reported. Residents evacuated high-rise buildings and sought refuge outside, with the situation in Myanmar still unclear.

On Friday, a powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 in magnitude struck Bangkok, Thailand, causing significant alarm among the population. According to preliminary reports from the U.S. Geological Survey and Germany’s GFZ center for geosciences, the earthquake originated from a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (approximately 6.2 miles) with its epicenter located in Myanmar, roughly 50 kilometers (30 miles) east of Monywa.

The tremor occurred around 1:30 p.m., leading to widespread panic and immediate evacuations in high-rise buildings throughout the densely populated central Bangkok area, which is home to over 17 million residents. Many people rushed down staircases of tall condominiums and hotels, and they congregated in the streets, seeking shelter from the intense afternoon heat.

Despite the tremors prompting alarms in several structures and causing some water to spill from swimming pools, there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties following the earthquake. Meanwhile, the situation in Myanmar remains uncertain as the country is currently embroiled in a civil war, and details regarding the earthquake’s impact there have yet to emerge.

The magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Bangkok on Friday caused buildings to sway and prompted mass evacuations. Fortunately, the quick responses of residents prevented injury, and there were no initial reports of damage. The epicenter was identified in Myanmar, adding a layer of uncertainty to the aftermath of the quake.

Original Source: www.newsday.com