A day after powerful earthquakes devastated Myanmar, claiming over 1,000 lives, the country was struck by another 5.1-magnitude tremor on Saturday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported.
The seismic activity occurred around 2.50 pm near Myanmar’s capital, Naypyidaw, at a depth of 10 kilometres, the USGS reported. The extent of damage or details of any casualties from Saturday’s earthquake, which struck the same area affected by Friday’s tremors, remain unclear.
The fresh quake struck Naypyidaw as authorities were working to repair damaged roads, while electricity, phone, and internet services remained down across most of the city.
Myanmar was jolted by a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake yesterday, followed by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock just 11 minutes later, leaving a trail of destruction. Buildings, bridges, historical structures, roads, and other public infrastructure were severely damaged, with Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, home to about 1.5 million people, emerging as the epicentre of destruction.
According to the latest official estimates, at least 1,002 people have been killed and over 2,300 injured. As rescuers continue to recover bodies from the rubble, the military-led government indicated that the toll could rise further, stating that “detailed figures are still being collected”. Meanwhile, the USGS has projected that the death toll in Myanmar could exceed 10,000.
In neighbouring Thailand, where the earthquake shook buildings and caused the collapse of an under-construction skyscraper in Bangkok, at least nine people were killed. Rescue operations entered their second day at the site of the 33-story tower collapse, with 47 people, including workers from Myanmar, still missing or trapped under the rubble.
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