A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck at 3:42 a.m. local time near the mountainous border between Myanmar and China’s Yunnan Province, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The shallow quake, just 10 km deep, sent strong tremors across the region, reaching as far as Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai in Thailand, prompting mass evacuations.
Myanmar has been hit hardest, declaring a state of emergency in several regions. At least 48 people have been confirmed dead, over 300 injured, and dozens remain missing. In Lashio, buildings crumbled, and rescue crews are urgently searching for survivors.
“We heard a loud noise, then the ground shook like waves,” said Myo Thant, a resident who narrowly escaped with his family.
Rescue efforts are ongoing as the region reels from the destruction.
