Devastating Tremors: Southeast Asia's 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Southeast Asia, causing significant destruction in Bangkok and Mandalay. The quake led to a skyscraper collapse in Bangkok, resulting in at least one death. Eyewitnesses reported panic as buildings swayed, and many fled to safety.

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Southeast Asia on Friday, causing a skyscraper under construction in Bangkok to collapse and damaging structures in Myanmar's Mandalay. At least one person died, and numerous workers were rescued from the Bangkok site, according to Thailand's National Institute of Emergency Medicine. Witnesses in Bangkok described chaotic scenes as hotel guests fled into the streets, escaping cascading water from a rooftop pool.

The United States Geological Survey noted the quake's epicenter was just 17.2 km from Mandalay, Myanmar, at a depth of 10 km. An aftershock followed the main tremor. In Mandalay, social media posts depicted collapsed buildings littering city streets. However, local authorities provided no immediate details on damage or casualties.

Witnesses in Yangon and nearby areas reported similar disturbances, prompting massive evacuations. One observer in Mandalay recounted seeing a tea shop collapse, trapping patrons inside. Throughout the affected regions, panic led people to gather outside, with office workers in Bangkok's downtown stunned by the swaying of their high-rise tower.

(With inputs from agencies.)