The US Geological Survey forecast thousands of losses after the 7.7 magnitude quake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city.
As millions reeled from the shock, a second earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 shook the area 12 minutes later, the USGS and Germany‘s GFZ said.
Officials at a major hospital in Naypyidaw, the capital, declared it a ‘mass casualty area’, with the death toll expected to rise after buildings fell and debris scattered.
‘I haven’t seen (something) like this before. We are trying to handle the situation. I’m so exhausted now,’ a doctor told the AFP news agency.
Professor Ian Main, Personal Chair in Seismology and Rock Physics, School of GeoSciences, at the University of Edinburgh said: ‘The damage is likely to be very severe near the epicentre- based on the estimated intensity of ground shaking above, and maps of population density and vulnerability of buildings.
‘The USGS ‘PAGER’ forecast loss is, sadly, most likely to be in the range 10,000-100,000 fatalities,’ he said, referring to the American agency’s earthquake impact report.
The force caused a mosque in Mandalay to collapse, with at least ten worshippers reported to have been killed.
More than 20 children are also believed to be trapped in a destroyed school in Taungoo, central Myanmar.
Shocking footage showed workers fleeing in neighbouring Thailand as a 30-storey high-rise building under construction in Bangkok collapsed around them.
At least three people were killed as the skyscraper toppled. Local authorities said that dozens of workers have been rescued from the site, though 90 are still missing.
Source: Daily Mail
More Video: Hotel Pool Shaking Violently
Tremors from a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday afternoon were felt in other parts of Thailand, particularly in the North and the Northeast.
The Earthquake Observation Division reported that the quake, with a depth of 10 kilometers, occurred at 1.20pm in Mandalay, Myanmar.
The Meteorological Department said the tremors were felt in many parts of Thailand, including Bangkok.
In Chiang Mai, patients at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital were evacuated from high-rise buildings to safety.
Following the quake, Dr Narain Chotirosniramit, director of the hospital, notified out-patients who were waiting for health check-ups to return home and await another appointment with the hospital on Saturday.
Engineers were sent to inspect the structure of the buildings.
Other hospitals, shopping malls and office buildings in the northern province also felt the tremors, prompting everyone to leave the premises.
In Muang district of Phitsanulok province, Buddhachinnaraj Hospital buildings shook, leading to the evacuation of patients.
Dr Songkriat Udompornwattana posted on his Facebook page, “The quake has caused chaos. Tremors have continued shaking Buddhachinnaraj Hospital for five minutes. Everyone, including doctors and patients, has had to run for their safety.”
In Nakhon Ratchasima’s Muang district, tremors were felt at Fort Suranari Hospital. Doctors, nurses and patients were seen running out in panic as the hospital building swayed, causing lamps and vases to move back and forth.
Nareerat Inngam, a cleaner at the hospital, said she was working on the eighth floor of the nine-storey main building when the quake occurred.
The 44-year-old woman said she felt like the world was spinning and thought she might be dizzy, but seeing the nurses running in panic prompted her to leave via the stairs.
Ms Nareerat said she had never experienced such violent tremors before and added that previous tremors were not as intense.
Hospital staff evacuated at Fort Suranari Hospital in Nakhon Ratchasima. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert)
At the Nakhon Ratchasima provincial chamber of commerce office, its six-storey building on Suranarai Road also swayed, prompting executives and staff members to move out for fear of possible danger.
At The Rich Hotel in downtown Muang district, more than 150 government officials attending a meeting in the conference hall fled outside after ceiling lamps swung back and forth.
At Khon Kaen International Airport in Khon Kaen province, safety checks were immediately conducted on the runways, tarmac and other structures, with no unusual findings, according to airport director Atthaya Lapmark.
People at the airport also felt the shaking, said Mr Atthaya.
“The air traffic control tower has ordered the suspension of all flights in accordance with safety standards,” said the airport director.
Source: Bangkok Post