A high-rise construction site in Bangkok experienced a catastrophic collapse following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Thailand and Myanmar earlier today. While authorities are still determining the extent of casualties, dramatic footage shared on social media captured the moment the structure, complete with a crane on its roof, crumbled into a large cloud of dust, eliciting panic among onlookers.
Police have responded to the scene, located near the bustling Chatuchak Market, but as of yet, there is no information regarding how many workers were present at the time of the incident. The quake, which occurred around 1:30 PM local time, was followed by a strong aftershock of 6.4 magnitude, prompting evacuations across many buildings in Bangkok.
According to preliminary reports from the US Geological Survey and Germany’s GFZ Centre for Geosciences, the earthquake struck at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, with its epicentre identified in central Myanmar, approximately 50 kilometres from the city of Monywa. The tremors were felt widely throughout Thailand, impacting almost all regions of the country.
In central Bangkok, alarm systems activated, leading to the hurried evacuation of residents from high-rise apartments and hotels. As people sought refuge from the searing midday sun in the streets, reports indicated that water from rooftop swimming pools surged over the edges, and debris fell from various structures.
In response to this disaster, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra convened an emergency meeting to evaluate the quake’s impact. This situation is particularly concerning as the greater Bangkok area, home to over 17 million residents, features a significant number of high-rise dwellings.
Additionally, the earthquake caused damage in Myanmar’s capital, Naypyitaw, where parts of religious shrines collapsed, and several homes were affected. However, details concerning further damage in Myanmar remain sparse due to ongoing civil conflict complicating communication and response efforts.
Overall, the implications of this seismic event, particularly in such a densely populated urban area, are still unfolding as the local authorities assess the situation and seek to provide assistance.