Bangkok high-rise collapses after powerful 7.7 earthquake HITS bangkok
Bangkok high-rise collapses after powerful 7.7 earthquake HITS bangkok
In Bangkok, at least three people were killed in the building collapse and 90 were missing, according to Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. He offered no more details about the ongoing rescue efforts but first responders said that seven people had been rescued so far from the area.
The 7.7 magnitude quake, with an epicenter near Mandalay, Myanmar 's second largest city, struck at midday and was followed by a strong 6.4 magnitude aftershock.
The full extent of death, injury and destruction was not immediately clear — particularly in Myanmar, one of the world's poorest countries. It is embroiled in a civil war and information is tightly controlled.
The head of Myanmar’s military government said in the televised speech on Friday evening that at least 144 people were killed and 730 others were injured.
“The death toll and injuries are expected to rise,” Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing said.
Photos from the capital of Naypyidaw showed multiple buildings used to house civil servants destroyed by the quake, and rescue crews pulling victims from the rubble.
