7.7 magnitude earthquake jolts Myanmar

MYANMAR: A state of emergency has been declared in Bangkok, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Friday after the city was hit by a major earthquake centred in Myanmar.

Damage was reported to buildings across Bangkok after the 7.7-magnitude quake, including a 30-storey under-construction skyscraper that collapsed in the city’s north.

Hundreds of people were pouring out of buildings in the Thai capital in panic after the tremors.

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There was no immediate word from Myanmar on damage after the quake, which the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said had a 7.7 magnitude and was at a depth of 10km (6.2 miles).

The epicentre was about 17.2km from the city of Mandalay, which has a population of about 1.2 million, according to USGS.

Witnesses in Bangkok said people ran out onto the streets in panic and water splashed out of swimming pools.

43 TRAPPED AS SKYSCRAPER COLLAPSES

A 30-storey skyscraper under construction for government offices collapsed in Bangkok on Friday, trapping 43 workers, police and medics said, after the city was rocked by a strong earthquake.