«EPA» | The death toll from the devastating earthquake that struck Burma and Thailand yesterday (Friday) increased to 694 dead and 1670 wounded, according to the ruling military council in Myanmar today (Saturday). Bangkok authorities also reported the killing of six other people, in addition to 22 injured and 101 missing.
The earthquake, which was 7.7 magnitude, northwest of the city of Saging in Burma yesterday afternoon at a superficial depth, followed by a 6.4 -degree tremor.
The earthquake led to the collapse of many buildings, bridges and roads in Burma, and more than 80 workers were stuck under the rubble of a skyscraper under construction in Bangkok.
The earthquake center is located 16 km northwest of Saging at a depth of 10 km, around 12:50 local time (06:20 GMT).
“Some buildings have also collapsed in several places,” said the head of the Military Council in Myanmar, Min Aung Hulang, in a televised speech after his visit to a hospital in Naibidao. He stressed the importance of cooperation, calling on countries and organizations to provide assistance and open the way for foreign aid.
The World Health Organization has announced that it has launched its emergency cases management system in Myanmar, and confirmed the mobilization of its logistical center in Dubai to respond to the wounded.
A major hospital in Nibidao turned into a “victims area” after the earthquake, where the injured lined up waiting for treatment outside the emergency department. The French press correspondents monitored the arrival of Min Aung Hlang to the hospital to inspect the cases.
Reports indicate that the roads have cracked, and the bishop of several buildings collapsed as a result of the earthquake strength.
Witnesses told Reuters that at least three people died due to a partial collapse of the mosque while performing the prayer.
In Thailand, a skyscraper collapsed under construction from 30 floors and turned into a pile of rubble. The officials explained that three workers have confirmed their deaths, and dozens are still missing, with the possibility of many of them under the rubble.
Bangkok declared a state of emergency and some metro and railway services were suspended, which led to the crowding of streets with users trying to return to their homes.
A resident of Xiang Mai, Duanggay, told Agence France -Presse that he felt the earthquake while sleeping and ran out of the building in the sleepwear.
The residents of Yunnan in the southwest China felt the tremor, where the earthquake agency reported that its power was 7.9 degrees, which indicated strong reactions in the region.
EPA
