BANGKOK (AP) — A 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocked Thailand and neighboring Myanmar midday on Friday, killing at least three people in Bangkok and burying dozens when a high-rise building under construction collapsed, and prompting Myanmar to declare a widespread state of emergency.
The midday temblor with an epicenter near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city, was followed by a strong 6.4 magnitude aftershock.
Myanmar’s military-run government declared a state of emergency in six regions and states including the capital Naypyitaw and Mandalay, but with the country in the midst of a prolonged bloody civil war it was not clear how help would get to many regions.
The Red Cross said downed power lines are adding to challenges for their teams trying to reach Mandalay and Sagaing regions and southern Shan state.
“Initial reports from the ground suggest the earthquake has caused significant damage,” the Red Cross said. “Information on humanitarian needs is still being gathered.”
In Bangkok, a construction worker was killed when rubble from the collapsing building site hit his truck and another was crushed by the falling debris, rescue worker Songwut Wangpon told reporters.
Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said in all three people were killed at the site and 90 are missing. He offered no more details about the ongoing rescue efforts but first responders said that seven people had been rescued so far from outside the collapsed building.
Rescue workers say the rubble is still too unstable for them to try and find people possibly trapped beneath.
A dramatic video of the building’s collapse near Bangkok’s popular Chatuchak market circulated on social media showed the multi-story building with a crane on top toppling into a cloud of dust, while onlookers screamed and ran.
Elsewhere, people in Bangkok evacuated from their buildings were cautioned to stay outside in case there were more aftershocks.
The U.S. Geological Survey and Germany’s GFZ center for geosciences said the earthquake was a shallow 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), according to preliminary reports.
No reports of Filipino casualties
There were no reported casualties among Filipinos in Myanmar and Thailand due to the strong earthquakes, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
“The Embassy is closely monitoring developments and reports that there are currently no reports of damage or casualties from the approximately 811 registered Filipino nationals residing and working in Myanmar,” the DFA said.
According to the embassy, the epicenter of the earthquake was recorded in central Myanmar, close to the city of Monywa.
“Further updates on the safety and welfare of overseas Filipinos in Myanmar will be made available as developments arise,” the DFA said.
There is also no report of Filipinos hurt or affected by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Bangkok, Thailand.
“As of this time, there have been no reports of Filipinos harmed or affected by the earthquake,” the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok said.
The Foreign Affairs department said there are currently 32,950 Filipinos in Thailand.
The Philippine embassies in both countries advised Filipinos there to remain calm and vigilant, and monitor updates from credible and verifiable sources of information.
For emergencies, the Embassy in Yangon can be reached through the Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) hotline (+95 998 521 0991) or the official Philippine Embassy in Myanmar Facebook Messenger.
The Philippine Embassy in Bangkok can be reached through ATN hotline (+66 81 989 7116) or through email: bangkok.pe@dfa.gov.ph. (with a report from Betheena Unite)
