BANGKOK. A high-rise building under construction in Bangkok collapsed on Friday after a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Thailand and neighboring Myanmar, police confirmed. The extent of casualties remains unknown.
Dramatic footage circulating on social media captured the moment the multi-story structure, topped with a crane, crumbled into a massive dust cloud as bystanders screamed and ran for cover. The collapse occurred near the bustling Chatuchak Market, a popular destination for locals and tourists. Police responding to the scene stated that they had no immediate information on the number of workers present at the time.
The main quake, which hit around 1:30 p.m., was followed by a strong 6.4-magnitude aftershock. Authorities urged Bangkok residents who had evacuated buildings to remain outside, warning of potential further tremors.
The U.S. Geological Survey and Germany’s GFZ Center for Geosciences reported that the earthquake had a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), with its epicenter in central Myanmar, approximately 50 kilometers (30 miles) east of Monywa. The tremors were felt across nearly all regions of Thailand, according to the country’s Department of Disaster Prevention.
In Bangkok, where over 17 million people reside, high-rise buildings sway violently. Water from rooftop pools spilled over the edges, and debris rained down from structures. Alarms blared in offices, condominiums, and hotels, prompting mass evacuations as frightened residents rushed down staircases and gathered in the streets, seeking shade from the sweltering midday sun.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra swiftly convened an emergency meeting to assess the earthquake’s impact and coordinate response efforts.
In Myanmar’s capital, Naypyitaw, religious shrines suffered significant damage, with portions of structures collapsing to the ground. Some residential buildings also sustained damage, though immediate reports on the full extent of destruction were scarce. The situation was further complicated by the ongoing civil conflict in Myanmar, which has disrupted communication and emergency response efforts.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, and rescue operations are underway at the collapsed site in Bangkok as officials work to determine the number of casualties and assess structural damage across the affected regions.
With reports from Associated Press
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
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- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
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