The scale of destruction was unclear in Myanmar, where the military government keeps a tight hold on information. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated thousands could be dead
BANGKOK — A 7.7-magnitude earthquake centered in Myanmar reverberated across Southeast Asia on Friday, with the scale of death and destruction slowly coming into view in the war-ravaged nation, where the military government maintains a tight hold on information.
The earthquake occurred around 1:30 p.m. local time (2:30 a.m. ET) at a depth of 6 miles near Mandalay, the second-largest city in Myanmar, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It was followed 11 minutes later by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock.
The USGS warned on Friday that “high casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread.” According to a predictive analysis based on the strength and depth of the earthquake, USGS estimated that more than 1000 people may have been killed, with a death toll over 10,000 a strong possibility.
Myanmar’s ruling military general, Min Aung Hlaing, said the death toll was at least 140 people, with hundreds more injured, according to Reuters. He added that those numbers are likely to rise.
Min Aung Hlaing invited “any country” to provide help and donations, adding that he had opened routes for international assistance and had accepted offers of help from India and ASEAN, the bloc of Southeast Asian nations.
President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States would be assisting following the earthquake.
"It’s a real bad one, and we will be helping," he said.
Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson for Myanmar's military government, earlier made an appeal for medical supplies in a late-night news bulletin on state television, calling for blood donations due to “so many” injuries across three urban areas.
In neighboring Thailand, at least ten people were confirmed to have been killed, with at least 100 more missing, according to city officials. The death toll is expected to rise there, as well.
Speaking Friday evening local time, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said residents in the affected area could return to their homes.
"The Prime Minister would like to reassure the public that the affected area is limited in scope," the PM's office said in a statement.
Located more than 600 miles from the epicenter, Bangkok is home to 17 million people, many of whom live in high-rise apartments. It was declared a disaster zone after the quake sent buildings swaying, and water sloshing from rooftop swimming pools. Thousands of people were forced to evacuate their homes and workplaces.
