A strong 7.7 magnitude earthquake, with 10 kilometers depth, devastated Mandalay in Myanmar at around 1:20pm last Friday, March 28. The shake was felt across Thailand, China and Vietnam.
In Thailand, a construction site along Chatuchak district received the most damage as the on-going 30-floor State Audit Office crumbled to ashes. Hundreds of Thai and Burmese workers are trapped under the rubble which is now on its 3rd day of search and rescue efforts. As of Khaosod’s reporting last Sunday at 5pm, 11 are confirmed dead, 8 men and three women, with 9 injured and 76 individuals still unaccounted.
Singapore, the US, China and Israel have sent personnels and advanced tools to aid in the rescue efforts.
High rise buildings and condominiums were also not spared as residents from high end units report cracked walls and debris falling from their units. The BMA has instructed condo unit managements to conduct inspections and report them immediately to authorities. In line with this, the BMA has also made public parks open to the public to those needing temporary shelter.
Train systems were also down immediately on Friday, with some services resuming the following day. Until today, monorail service from MRT Pink Line remains closed.
The Philippine Embassy in Thailand reminds the public to be vigilant against fake news. The embassy reported that “10 Filipinos perished in the earthquake in Thailand” is false. The embassy also reiterates that “they are monitoring the situation for any Filipino nationals who may be affected and may need immediate assistance due to the earthquake”.