Cliff Notes
- A powerful earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, registering 7.7 on the Richter scale, followed by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock.
- Reports indicate significant structural damage, including collapsed buildings and destroyed infrastructure, making aid efforts extremely challenging.
Myanmar earthquake latest: Dozens trapped as tower collapses in Bangkok – after 7.7 tremor hundreds of miles away
I was in the office at around 1.30pm local time when I felt the tremors.
Lights started to swing, the windowpanes shook, and people rushed downstairs to evacuate the building.
There was no warning – despite this being a country still reeling from a devastating tsunami twenty years ago.
On the outskirts of the city, at least one building has collapsed.
Unverified reports suggest there were as many as 50 construction workers there.
We have no confirmation of casualties yet. I have seen videos of other buildings that also have been badly damaged and rooftop swimming pools flowing over the top of high-rise apartments.
But the prime minister has established a war room – a very rare move – to help respond to the impact of the tremors.
The damage in Myanmar appears far worse, though.
At the epicentre, near Mandalay, in the centre of the country, the earthquake was 7.7 magnitude.
A second aftershock about 12 minutes later was 6.4.
I’ve seen videos and pictures of bridges collapsing, pagodas and temples destroyed.
And this, in a country ravaged by civil war.
Getting information from there is very challenging.
Getting aid in will be a huge challenge, too.