WGOLV.COM - By LoriLee - On Friday, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, sending shockwaves across the nation and into Thailand. Several strong aftershocks followed soon after.
According to the New York Times, by 9 a.m. Eastern, at least 20 people had been confirmed dead, with many more trapped under collapsed high-rise buildings. However, the Associated Press indicated that the number of casualties is likely much higher, pointing out that very limited information is emerging from Myanmar, which is currently experiencing a civil war.
In neighboring Thailand, it appears as though Bangkok may be hardest hit, with the AP reporting that a 33-story building at the popular Chatuchak market has collapsed.
An official told reporters, including those from The Times, that 70 people were still missing and 20 were trapped in an elevator shaft, with their survival unclear.
The region is known for frequent earthquakes, according to the AP.
Bill McGuire, Professor Emeritus of Geophysical & Climate Hazards, University College London, stated on Science Media Center that “Myanmar is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, so this quake is not a surprise. It looks to have occurred on the major Sagaing Fault, which marks the boundary between two tectonic plates, and which runs north—south close to a number of large population centers."
McGuire also added that this is "probably the biggest earthquake on the Myanmar mainland in three quarters of a century, and a combination of size and very shallow depth will maximise the chances of damage. It is highly likely that build quality will generally not be high enough to survive this level of shaking, and casualty numbers will almost certainly climb significantly as more becomes known of the scale of the disaster."
Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra shared at a press conference that “Buildings in Bangkok are constructed beyond the (required) standard. Even if the earthquake had been stronger, they would still be able to withstand it. Right now, inspections show that all buildings are safe to return to. The only affected structures are those under construction, which have issues with stability and walls.”
Shinawatra said that there continue to be aftershocks, which may continue to "affect people in both northern Thailand and Bangkok.”
For those traveling to Thailand -
If you have travel plans to Thailand, they should not be affected.
According to The Independent, Airports of Thailand (AOT) stated on Friday, “AOT has completed inspections of 6 airports, confirming that the structural integrity of their buildings and aviation infrastructure meets safety standards. All airports have resumed normal operations as of 2:30 p.m.”
Travelers however, should be cautious of travel through affected areas and know that Bangkok has officially been declared a disaster area, which will most certainly affect any plans.
The Bangkok Post also reported that the Ministry of Transport ordered the suspension of public transport services, including many buses and all its electric train lines.
The State Railway is also experiencing delayed trains, pending safety checks on all tracks.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those living there.
Source: Travel and Leisure
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