Thousands are feared dead after a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocked Southeast Asia on Friday, bringing down a towering skyscraper in Thailand and toppling buildings, including a mosque, in neighboring Myanmar.
Harrowing scenes emerged of bodies being lined up in the rubble as rescuers scoured for survivors from the midday quake, whose epicenter was detected near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city.
Although the extent of death and destruction wasn’t immediately clear, the US Geological Survey (USGS) issued a red alert — estimating that deaths could range between 1,000 and 10,000.
“High casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread,” the federal agency warned, noting that “past red alerts have required a national or international response.”
At least 144 were quickly confirmed dead in Myanmar — one of the world’s poorest countries — where photos and video from two hard-hit cities showed extensive damage.
At least 732 were injured in the nation, according to officials, who declared a state of emergency in the capital city of Naypyidaw.
“Casualties are expected to rise,” said Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, commander in chief of Myanmar’s armed forces. “Buildings have collapsed in several areas, and rescue operations are underway.”
The destruction spread hundreds of miles from the epicenter, including in neighboring Thailand, where an under-construction skyscraper crashed down in the capital Bangkok, killing at least eight people, Thai authorities said.
At least 80 more remained trapped under debris from the collapsed building Friday night local time, according to according to Thailand’s Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
Elsewhere in Bangkok, people could be seen running out onto the streets in panic — many of them hotel guests in bathrobes and swimsuits as water cascaded down from an elevated pool at a luxury hotel, witnesses said.
Bangkok’s governor Chadchart Sittipunt said at least two other deaths had been confirmed in Thailand’s capital.
In Myanmar, at least three were killed in the town of Taungoo when a mosque partially collapsed.
Local media reported that at least two people also died and 20 others were injured after a hotel collapsed in the city of Aung Ban.
USGS said the deadly quake, which struck at lunchtime, was of 7.7 magnitude and at a depth of 6.2 miles.
The epicenter was detected near Mandalay — Myanmar’s second-largest city — and was followed by a strong 6.4 magnitude aftershock, according to officials.
Bangkok’s city authorities declared the capital city a disaster-stricken area, saying they needed to assess and monitor damaged areas, as well as assist people who might still be at risk.
The greater Bangkok area is home to more than 17 million people, many of whom live in high-rise apartments.
The sound of sirens echoed throughout the city and vehicles flooded the street in the aftermath, leaving some of the city’s already congested streets gridlocked.
Fraser Morton, a tourist from Scotland, said he was in a shopping mall when the tremor hit.
“All of a sudden the whole building began to move. Immediately there was screaming and a lot of panic,” he said.
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