A strong earthquake struck central Myanmar today, and people rushed out of buildings in panic in Yangon and also in Bangkok, the capital of neighboring Thailand, witnesses said.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake was of 7.7 magnitude and at a depth of 10km.
Photo: AFP
It was followed by a powerful aftershock.
The epicenter was about 17.2km from the city of Mandalay, which has a population of about 1.2 million, according to USGS.
There was no immediate word from Myanmar on damage.
"We have started the search and going around Yangon to check for casualties and damage. So far, we have no information yet," an officer from the Myanmar Fire Services Department said.
Social media posts from Mandalay showed collapsed buildings and debris strewn across streets.
Reuters could not immediately verify the posts.
Witnesses contacted in Yangon said many people ran out from buildings in the city, the largest in the country.
Witnesses in Bangkok said people ran out onto the streets in panic, many of them hotel guests in bathrobes and swimming outfits.
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