Deadly earthquake strikes Myanmar, Thailand

A powerful earthquake rattled Myanmar and neighboring Thailand on Friday, trapping dozens of workers in a collapsed under-construction skyscraper in Bangkok where a state of emergency was declared.

In Bangkok, a 30-storey government building under construction collapsed, trapping 43 workers. Emergency teams rushed to the site, where hundreds are feared injured. Authorities declared a state of emergency, suspending metro and rail services.

In Myanmar’s capital, Naypyidaw, ceilings collapsed at the National Museum, forcing people to flee. Roads cracked, and hospitals struggled to accommodate the injured, treating many in the streets. Traffic jams blocked access to medical facilities.

In Chiang Mai, Thailand, residents ran out of buildings in fear. A 76-year-old shop worker described it as the strongest quake he had ever experienced.

China’s Yunnan province also felt the tremors. Earthquakes are common in Myanmar, with past major quakes linked to the Sagaing Fault. Experts warn that poor infrastructure makes cities more vulnerable to disasters.