A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday (March 28) around midday. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the epicenter was located 16 kilometers from the city of Sagaing in Myanmar's northwest, roughly 100 kilometers north of the capital, Naypyidaw.
In the aftermath, a 30-story government office building under construction in Bangkok collapsed, trapping 43 workers inside. Authorities in Thailand declared a state of emergency following the powerful quake. Prime Minister Phatongtarn Shinawatra confirmed the situation.
AFP reporters from Naypyidaw reported that the earthquake caused significant damage to roads and many building rooftops lost tiles. The quake was so strong that tremors were felt hundreds of miles away, reaching China and Thailand.
Videos shared on social media showed people evacuating buildings in Bangkok and gathering in the streets. Water was splashing out from a swimming pool on a building's roof.
BBC reporters in Bangkok noted that the earthquake caused buildings to sway, with some windows breaking as well.
While Myanmar frequently experiences earthquakes, Thailand is not considered a seismically active region. However, most of the earthquakes felt in Thailand originate from neighboring Myanmar. The Sagaing Fault, running through central Myanmar, is the source of many significant quakes.
Bangkok's buildings are not designed to withstand large earthquakes, which raises concerns about substantial structural damage.
Bui Thu, a BBC reporter based in Bangkok, told BBC World Service's News Day program that she was cooking when the earthquake hit. "I was totally confused and frightened," she said. "I didn't know what was happening. I think this is the most powerful earthquake Bangkok has experienced in the last decade. I saw cracks forming on my apartment walls. Water was spilling from the swimming pool, and people were screaming in panic."
After the aftershocks, she joined others running into the streets, trying to understand what was going on. ''The buildings here are not built to withstand earthquakes, so I think there's going to be major damage.''
A video filmed at Mandalay Airport, near the epicenter, showed people lying on the ground in panic, with many shouting at others to stop running.
In Bangkok, 43 people remain missing after the collapse of the building. Thai authorities reported that 50 people were inside the building when it collapsed, which was still under construction. The National Institute for Emergency Medicine in Thailand reported on Facebook that seven people had been rescued, but 43 others were still trapped.
AFP also confirmed the reports from police sources about the missing workers.
Deputy Police Chief of Bang Sue District, Orapat Sukthai, said, "When I arrived at the scene, I could hear people calling for help, screaming 'Help me!'"
The building, which was under construction as a government office, caused considerable concern due to the extent of the collapse.
