A devastating earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, claiming the lives of at least 144 people. The powerful tremor, which registered a magnitude of 7.7, caused widespread destruction, including the collapse of buildings and bridges, and left more than 80 workers trapped in an under-construction skyscraper in Bangkok.
The quake, which struck northwest of the city of Sagaing in central Myanmar, was followed minutes later by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock, further exacerbating the damage.
The destruction prompted Myanmar’s military junta to make a rare request for international aid, as the country grapples with ongoing conflicts and territorial losses to armed groups. A state of emergency has been declared in the six regions most severely affected by the disaster.
According to state-run MRTV, at least 144 people in Myanmar have been confirmed dead, with 732 others injured in the wake of the earthquake.
