ALBAWABA - Northern Myanmar was hit by a strong 6.4-magnitude earthquake on Friday, which caused extensive damage and increased the number of fatalities in both Myanmar and neighboring Thailand.
There were widespread evacuations in the affected regions after the earthquake, which was felt in portions of southern China, causing buildings to shake severely.
Two Chinese nurses bravely grabbed onto incubators to shield infants during the earthquake, as shown on surveillance video from a maternity unit at Jingcheng Hospital in Ruili, Yunnan in China. Despite the tragedy, they have received a lot of appreciation for their courage.
Many parts of Myanmar, including the capital Naypyidaw and a number of rural areas, reported significant damage. Numerous fatalities and injuries have been reported by local officials, but while search and rescue efforts continue, there are concerns that the number may increase. The catastrophe exacerbates the nation's already precarious humanitarian situation, as the UN reports that the fighting has displaced over 3.5 million people and put 15 million in danger of starvation.
Bangkok, Thailand, on the other side of the border, was also affected. Dozens of construction workers were trapped when a 30-story structure fell. Chadchart Sittipunt, the governor of Bangkok, confirmed at least ten fatalities and said that over 400 citizens stayed overnight in public parks out of concern for additional collapses. After receiving more than 2,000 complaints of structural damage, experts were sent to evaluate the safety situation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba were among the world leaders who sent their sympathies. Destructive earthquakes have historically occurred in Myanmar, which is located along the seismically active Sagaing Fault. A clear reminder of the region's vulnerability and the pressing need for coordinated humanitarian assistance is provided by the recent earthquake.
While authorities continue to determine the full scope of the destruction, rescue and recovery efforts are still underway in Thailand and Myanmar.
