A strong earthquake struck Myanmar today with tremors recorded in Thailand, as well as other countries in the region. Multiple buildings have been destroyed and there are fears of potentially thousands of casualties.
It’s worrying news if you have a trip planned to the region soon, particularly given there have been calls for humanitarian aid. So, here is everything you need to know about the earthquake that has struck Myanmar and Thailand, and whether it is safe to travel.
Is it safe to travel to Myanmar and Thailand?
A powerful, 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, damaging buildings and other structures with fears of mass casualties.
A 30-storey skyscraper in Bangkok has collapsed, killing two people and trapping 43 more inside, and in Myanmar, local media have reported that 10 worshippers who were inside the Shwe Phone Shein Mosque near the epicentre have died. In Taungoo, central Myanmar, 20 children are trapped in a collapsed school, and in Mandalay, another building collapse has killed eight people, according to the Guardian.
Myanmar has issued a plea for international humanitarian aid ‘as soon as possible’, according to the Telegraph, and a state of emergency has been declared in the Sagaing region, Mandalay region, Magway region, northeastern Shan State, Naypyitaw Council Area, and Bago region.
Bangkok’s city hall has declared the city a disaster area, and the governor has been put in charge of coordinating the disaster response, according to Reuters.
The US geological survey has issued a red alert for deaths and damage and it estimates thousands of casualties are likely.
Where was the 7.7 magnitude earthquake?
The epicentre of the earthquake was a shallow 10km below ground, around 18km south of Sagaing, but was felt across Myanmar and Thailand, as well as in parts of China, India, Bangladesh, and Laos. Around 12 minutes after the initial shock, an aftershock of 6.2 was recorded.
Have flights been cancelled?
While, according to Malaymail, some airlines have continued operations, reports are circulating that airports in the Thai capital have been evacuated. If you have a flight booked, check directly with your provider for its status.
What is the UK Foreign Office saying?
The UK Foreign Office travel advice pages for Myanmar and Thailand both have notices about the earthquakes. ‘There has been a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar, the epicentre is in Sagaing region near Mandalay City, but other areas may be affected. Mandalay airport is reportedly closed. There may be several strong after-shocks. If you’re in the area or planning to travel there, follow the advice of the local authorities and monitor local media.’
It also notes on its advice page for Thailand that ‘strong tremors reported across Thailand and some damage reported to buildings in Bangkok. There may be after-shocks.’
‘The US Federal Emergency Management Agency has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.’
‘UNICEF also has information on staying safe in an earthquake: in English and in Burmese. If you’re in Thailand and need urgent help, call the British Embassy in Bangkok on +66 023058333.’
What are your rights if you’ve booked a trip to Myanmar or Thailand?
To see what can be done about cancelling or rescheduling your trip, it would be best to contact your travel provider directly. There is government advice against travelling to certain parts of Thailand and Myanmar, but these aren’t earthquake-related. Therefore, you won’t automatically be entitled to free cancellation if you opt not to travel.
When was the last earthquake in the region?
A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Sainyabuli Province in northwest Laos, which is near the Thai border, back in November 2019.
However, the most significant earthquake event in the region was a 9.2-9.3 magnitude earthquake which struck off the west coast of northern Sumatra on Boxing Day in 2004. It triggered a tsunami of waves reaching up to 30 metres. Thailand, Sri Lanka and India were among the worst affected places, but 230,000 people were killed across 14 countries.
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