The earth trembled in a large sector of Southeast Asia. An earthquake of magnitude 7.7 rocked the Burma This Friday, March 28, announced the American Geological Institute (USGS). The tremors were such that they were felt even in neighboring countries: in Bangkok in Thailand and in the province of Yunnan in southwest China. The Chinese earthquake analysis agency has recorded a magnitude of 7.9.
The epicenter of the powerful earthquake was estimated 16 kilometers from the city of Sagaing and a depth of 10 kilometers. This shallow depth strengthens the violence of tremors and increases the impact of the earthquake on infrastructure. He started around 2:20 p.m. local time, around 7:20 am in France according to the USGS. Replicas, less strong, have already taken place and others are expected. Although less strong, they risk aggravating the damage have affecting already weakened buildings.
The tremors of the earthquake resulted in the collapse of several buildings and the deformation of many roads in Burma, especially in the capital Naycyidaw, but also in the Thai capital. Many premises, offices and shops had to be evacuated sometimes giving rise to panic scenes in Bangkok. The images of the collapse of a building under construction circulate on social networks.
On the injured side, no official assessment has been provided, but there may be injured and dead. An important Naytyidaw hospital, the capital of Burma, deals with “many victims”, an official of the establishment told AFP. Wounded are taken care of outside the emergency department. In Bangkok, at least 43 workers are blocked inside the debris of the building that collapsed.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra immediately announced the summons of an “emergency meeting” and then declared the state of emergency. It is indeed in Thailand that the concern is the strongest, even though the epicenter of the earthquake was in Burma. Government measures could be taken in this country.
Southeast Asia, and more particularly Burma, is an area where earthquakes are relatively frequent. At least six earthquakes of magnitude 7 or superior occurred in Burma between 1930 and 1956 near the sagaing fault, which crossed the center of the country from north to south. Despite the frequency of the phenomenon, the weakness of the infrastructure, the insufficient health services and the anarchic development of urbanized areas make the population of the region very vulnerable in the event of a natural disaster, according to experts.
In 2016, an earthquake of magnitude 6.8 had shaken the old capital, Bagan, in the center of the country, killing three people and causing the collapse of the walls of the temples of this tourist destination. In November 2012, an earthquake also of magnitude 6.8 struck the center of the country, killing 26 people and hundreds of injured.