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Strong earthquake hits central Myanmar
Published on Sunday, 11 November 2012 10:47
A bridge at Kyauk Myaung town collapsed in this morning quake (photo - EMG)
A strong earthquake struck central Myanmar, centering 45 miles north of Shwebo Township with 6.8 on the Richter scale this morning, according to the announcement of the Meteorology and Hydrology Department.
The earthquake jolted at 7:42 am also affected Khin-U, Ye-U, Taze, Zigon and Kantbalu townships.
Some religious edifices collapsed due to the seismic wave in Shwebo Township.
The quake was followed by two shallow 5.0-magnitude aftershocks within 20 minutes.
The quake also hit Mandalay the ancient capital of Myanmar, at 7:45 am this morning.
The brick wall of Mann Myanmar Plaza cracked.
The earth tremor also affected Sagain and Pyi Oo Lwin townships, resulting in the damages of houses.
The USGS issued a yellow alert, saying "some casualties and damage are possible" but that the impact should be relatively localised.
It struck around 572 kilometres east of the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka, one of the world's biggest cities.
The quake was felt in neighbouring Thailand, including in the capital Bangkok, according to reports on social media websites.
More than 70 people were killed in March 2011 when a powerful 6.8-magnitude quake struck Myanmar near the borders with Thailand and Laos, reducing homes and government buildings to rubble and affecting thousands of people.
Four workers died 24 were injured in the earthquake at the construction site of Yatanar Theinga bridge in Kyauk Myaung sub-township of Shwebo, said the locals.
Two Buddhist monasteries in Kyauk Myaung sub-township collapsed, causing two dead.
About ten pot-making workshops were also damaged in nearby Nwe Nyein Township.
The shallow quake also struck Meikhitla Township near Mandalay for some seconds at 7:45 am this morning, but there was no dead.
“The seismic waves spread to Mahlaing, Wundwin and Thazi townships. Other township offices of this district have confirmed that there was no dead,” said Kyaw San, Fire Brigade Officer of Meikhitla Township.
“We realised the quake shock only when fluorescent lamps were swaying. First I thought that I felt dizzy in the bed. The earthquake trembled about 10 seconds,” said Thi Thi Aung from Meikhitla Township.
The quake also affected to Yamethin and Pyawbwe townships which are 40 miles and 20 miles from Meikhitla Township.
“The earthquake in Pyawbwe shocked noticeably. There is no report of dead and injury,” said a resident.
A bridge at Kyauk Myaung town collapsed in this morning quake (photo - EMG)
Quake left damages inKyauk Myaung Town, Shwe Bo district, Sagain Region (photo - EMG)
Emergency Health care provided after the incicent by local physicians (photo -EMG)
Quake left damages at Shwe Bo district, Sagain Region (photo - EMG)