Related: Chinese rescue team arrives at Myanmar after strong tremors

A rescue team from Southwest China's Yunnan province arrived at Yangon, Myanmar, early Saturday after a massive earthquake jolted the Southeast Asian country on Friday.

Mu Shuyuan, team leader, talked about the challenges his team would face before departing for the quake-hit country.

Live updates: 7.9-magnitude quake hits Myanmar

BEIJING -- President Xi Jinping on Saturday extended condolences to Myanmar's leader Min Aung Hlaing over the massive earthquake that hit the country on Friday.

In a message, Xi said he was shocked to learn of the strong earthquake in Myanmar, which caused heavy casualties and property losses.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi mourned the deaths and extended sincere condolences to the bereaved families, the injured and the people affected by the disaster.

China and Myanmar are a community of shared future sharing weal and woe, and the two peoples enjoy a profound fraternal friendship, said Xi.

China is ready to provide assistance, and support efforts to overcome the disaster and rebuild homes at an early date, he said.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Saturday also extended condolences to Min Aung Hlaing over the earthquake.

MANDALAY, Myanmar -- A total of 694 people were killed, 1,670 injured and 68 missing in a deadly earthquake in Mandalay region of Myanmar as of Saturday morning, the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council reported.

A rescue team from Southwest China's Yunnan province arrived at Yangon, Myanmar, early Saturday after a massive earthquake jolted the Southeast Asian country on Friday.

At least 144 people were killed and 732 injured in Myanmar after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake jolted the country on Friday.

Myanmar's State Administration Council Chairman, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, called for assistance from the international community, according to local reports.

At 6:30 am on Saturday, a rescue and medical team of 37 members departed from the Changshui International Airport in Kunming, Yunnan province, for the earthquake-stricken area in Myanmar.

They carried a large amount of emergency search and rescue equipment and relief supplies such as full-function life detectors, earthquake early warning systems, portable satellites and drones, Xinhua News Agency reported.

A powerful earthquake, which was monitored at 21.85 degrees north latitude and 95.95 degrees east longitude, rocked central Myanmar on Friday.

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the earthquake struck at a depth of 30 kilometers and reached 7.9 magnitude.

MANDALAY, Myanmar -- Myanmar's Department of Meteorology and Hydrology said Saturday morning that 12 aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging from 2.8 to 7.5, occurred on Friday following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake at 12:51 pm local time on Friday.

At 6:30 am on Saturday, a rescue and medical team of 37 members departed from the Changshui International Airport in Kunming, Yunnan province, for the earthquake-stricken area in Myanmar.

They carried a large amount of emergency search and rescue equipment and relief supplies such as full-function life detectors, earthquake early warning systems, portable satellites and drones, Xinhua News Agency reported.

A powerful earthquake, which was monitored at 21.85 degrees north latitude and 95.95 degrees east longitude, rocked central Myanmar on Friday.

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the earthquake struck at a depth of 30 kilometers and reached 7.9 magnitude.

Southwest China's Yunnan province experienced strong tremors as a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar at a depth of 30 kilometers at 2:20 pm on Friday.

According to the China Earthquake Administration, strong tremors were felt in Yunnan's Dehong, Lincang, Baoshan, Xishuangbanna, Lijiang and Dali, while Chuxiong and Kunming experienced noticeable shaking.

In the aftermath of the earthquake, a video clip showing the damage to a tall building of the Fortune Mall in Ruili of Yunnan's Dehong Dai and Jingpo autonomous prefecture garnered significant attention on social media platforms.

"I felt a mild shake first, so I went out of the building to the street. Then, a strong shake was felt and I can see the building was shaking too," Ge Zhaolan, 45, a merchant at the shopping mall, told China Daily.

He said the rooftop water tank on the 30th floor was broken, leading to a substantial spilling of water.

"I was hit by the water too, but it was not as terrifying as the video showed," he recalled.

Another merchant told Nanfang Metropolis Daily that during the incident, a female employee at her shop witnessed another employee at a nearby bubble tea store being struck on the head by falling debris, resulting in a head injury and profuse bleeding.

The injured individual was swiftly transported and given medical attention, she said.

Footage from surveillance cameras provided by the merchant depicted a scene where a torrent of water cascaded down, knocking down several individuals.

"Basically, all occupants were able to evacuate unharmed," she said.

According to the China Earthquake Administration, the earthquake's epicenter was approximately 294 kilometers from the nearest Chinese border and about 310 km from the city hall of Ruili.

The administration immediately activated its emergency response mechanism. The authorities organized rolling consultations to assess the situation and rushed a team from the Yunnan Earthquake Agency to Ruili to assist local authorities in emergency response efforts.

Ruili's information office told CCTV News on Friday afternoon that only two individuals sustained minor injuries at the Fortune Mall and were promptly taken to a hospital for treatment. There have been no reported casualties, although several old buildings suffered damage. The city has maintained order with normal traffic and communication.

According to the National Fire and Rescue Administration, after the earthquake, fire and rescue teams in Yunnan quickly assembled and prepared. Four teams were dispatched, and several other teams stayed prepared for deployment and reinforcement.

As of 3:30 pm, local transportation, roads, telecommunication and internet services were normal, and relevant information was tracked and verified.

Contact the writers at liyingqing@chinadaily.com.cn

For Rajiamuchan Burgin, a resident of Thailand's capital city, the earthquake on Friday afternoon was the "severest earthquake (that I experienced) since I was born".

Rajiamuchan was driving her car in downtown Bangkok and was stuck in a traffic jam when she felt the tremors.

"My car was shaking while the road signs also swung from left to right. My mind went blind and I was frozen at the moment," she said.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra put the capital city of Bangkok under a state of emergency following a strong earthquake in Myanmar that shook countries in the region, including China and Thailand.

Apart from Bangkok, tremors were also felt in the northern Thailand provinces including Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar at midday Friday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand announced "the immediate suspension of all trading activities" for the afternoon session. Trading was also suspended at Thailand's Market for Alternative Investment and the Thailand Futures Exchange.

Transportation was disrupted with the Bangkok Mass Transit System suspending operations on the Sukhumvit Line while the Air Traffic Control issued a nationwide no-fly order for all airports in Thailand.

Later in the afternoon, the Airports of Thailand Public Company announced that six airports under its management, including those in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, have resumed normal operations as of 2:30 pm.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has declared the Thai capital a Level 2 disaster zone. He ordered the setting up of an earthquake response command center, chaired the emergency meeting and instructed all districts and hospitals to assess damages.

Authorities issued nationwide alerts, advised the public via SMS and media and mobilized security forces. Airports, hospitals, and transport were on standby.

Thailand's police and military were evacuating people from unsafe buildings, aiding victims and managing traffic. Police hospitals were on standby for emergencies.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai visited the collapsed construction site in the district of Chatuchak in Bangkok where three fatalities have been confirmed, according to a report by online newspaper The Nation.

Phumtham identified two major collapse sites: the 34-story Budget Bureau building in Chatuchak and a three-story building in Bang Khun Thian, Bangkok's southernmost district.

When Rajiamuchan rolled down her car window to talk with a driver nearby, she said: "We just felt hard to believe. And it was really scary as we were all afraid of the possibility that the road may fall apart, but feel helpless because we could do nothing about it. I could only pray that it won't happen with another hit."

This reporter of China Daily in Bangkok personally experienced the sudden and intense shaking on Friday. It continued for a few seconds, paused briefly, and then resumed for another ten or more seconds.

Running out to a nearby parking lot, this reporter found streetlights on an elevated expressway, which was about 100 meters away from her, shaking violently.

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in its latest report that the Meteorological Department and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation are closely monitoring the situation and have warned of possible aftershocks. The Thai Meteorological Department will provide updates through its Facebook account.

Government agencies have likewise issued respective directives to manage the situation. The Ministry of Education has ordered the closure of schools nationwide, the Ministry of Public Health is establishing emergency response centers and the Ministry of Interior has instructed provincial governors to activate command centers.

Contact the writers at yangwanli@chinadaily.com.cn

UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations on Friday allocated an emergency $5 million to Myanmar for earthquake aid while determining additional needs and coordinating the response, a UN spokesman said.

"The UN is gathering information on the number of people impacted, damage to infrastructure and immediate humanitarian needs to guide the response," Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general, told reporters. "The UN is mobilizing teams and support."

At least 144 people were killed and 732 injured in Myanmar after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake jolted the country on Friday, according to Myanmar's State Administration Council. Dujarric said Myanmar's authorities called for the international community to support the response efforts.

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher allocated 5 million U.S. dollars from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund to support life-saving assistance.

Dujarric said the earthquake has caused significant damage in central Myanmar, Mandalay City, near the epicenter, as well as in Nay Pyi Taw territory, Bago, Magway, Sagaing, Shan state and possibly other regions.

It will compound an already dire humanitarian situation in Myanmar, where nearly 20 million people need assistance, including more than 3.5 million people displaced from their homes, the spokesman said.

"Beyond Myanmar, the impact appears to be greatest in Thailand," he said. "Reports indicate that a high-rise building in Bangkok collapsed, resulting in casualties. A state of emergency has been declared in Bangkok and the government is scaling up its response."

He added that China's Yunnan province, bordering Myanmar, also recorded strong tremors. Initial reports indicate limited disruptions and damage in the province.

"The tremors also reportedly caused panic in several cities in Bangladesh, including Dhaka and Chattogram," Dujarric said. "While there were no immediate reports of casualties in Bangladesh, authorities remained alert for potential aftershocks."

The spokesman said the world body will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide support and assistance as needed.

BEIJING - China stands ready to do its best to provide emergency humanitarian assistance and support to the affected area in Myanmar in light of their need to help people there carry out disaster relief and rescue and pull through this trying time, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

The spokesperson made the remarks when asked to provide more information about Chinese casualties in the 7.9-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar and China's assistance in disaster relief and rescue efforts.

Noting Myanmar is China's friendly neighbor, the spokesperson said that China is closely following the situation after the earthquake and extends sincere sympathies to Myanmar.

"We hope and believe that the government and people of Myanmar will overcome difficulties and rebuild their home at an early date," the spokesperson said.

After the earthquake, the Chinese Embassy and Consulate-General in Myanmar immediately activated the emergency response mechanism and released relevant consular notice. They fully gathered and verified information to find out if any Chinese institutions, companies or nationals have been affected, the spokesperson said, noting that so far, no deaths have been reported among Chinese nationals there.

"The people of China and Myanmar enjoy a profound 'pauk-phaw' (fraternal) friendship. We feel for the people of Myanmar over the disaster," the spokesperson said.

Regions in Southwest China's Yunnan province experienced strong tremors as a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar at a depth of 30 kilometers at 2:20 pm on Friday.

According to the China Earthquake Administration, strong tremors were felt in Yunnan's Dehong, Lincang, Baoshan, Xishuangbanna, Lijiang and Dali, while Chuxiong and Kunming experienced noticeable shaking.

In the aftermath of the earthquake, a video clip showing the damage to a tall building of the Fortune Mall in Ruili of Yunnan's Dehong Dai and Jingpo autonomous prefecture garnered significant attention on social media platforms.

"I felt a mild shake first, so I went out of the building to the street. Then, a strong shake was felt and I can see the building was shaking too," Ge Zhaolan, 45, a merchant at the shopping mall, told China Daily.

He said the rooftop water tank on the 30th floor was broken, leading to a substantial spilling of water.

"I was spilled (hit) by the water too, but it was not that terrifying as the video showed," he recalled.

Another merchant told Nanfang Metropolis Daily that during the incident, a female employee at her shop witnessed another female employee at a nearby bubble tea store being struck on the head by falling debris, resulting in a head injury and profuse bleeding.

The injured individual was swiftly transported and given medical attention, she said.

Footage from surveillance cameras provided by the merchant depicted a scene where a torrent of water cascaded down, knocking down several individuals.

"Basically, all occupants were able to evacuate unharmed," she said.

According to the China Earthquake Administration, the earthquake's epicenter was approximately 294 kilometers from the nearest Chinese border and about 310 km from the city hall of Ruili.

The administration immediately activated its emergency response mechanism.

The authorities organized rolling consultations to assess the situation and rushed a team from the Yunnan Earthquake Agency to Ruili to assist local authorities in emergency response efforts.

Ruili's information office told CCTV News on Friday afternoon that only two individuals sustained minor injuries at the Fortune Mall and were promptly taken to a hospital for treatment. There have been no reported casualties, although several old buildings suffered damage. The city has maintained order with normal traffic and communication.

According to the National Fire and Rescue Administration, after the earthquake, fire and rescue teams in Yunnan quickly assembled and prepared. Four teams were dispatched, and several other teams stay prepared for deployment and reinforcement.

As of 3:30 pm, local transportation, roads, telecommunication, and internet services were normal, and relevant information tracked and verified.

The earthquake may trigger a local tsunami, but as the epicenter is located outside the Pacific region, it will not affect the coastal areas of China, said China's Ministry of Natural Resources.

Following the large earthquake that hit Myanmar recently, Thailand's government announced on Friday evening it was elevating its disaster management level to Large-Scale Disaster.

The nation also established a National Command Center for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation on Friday evening, to implement government policies, direct, coordinate, and assess the situation, monitor and analyze developments, report updates, and provide recommendations to the prime minister for policy-level decision-making.

Thailand's Minister of the Interior Anutin Charnvirakul was appointed to take charge of the situation.

A powerful earthquake rocked central Myanmar on Friday, sending strong tremors to neighboring regions, including southwestern China, as well as parts of South and Southeast Asia.

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the earthquake reached 7.9 magnitude.

By Friday night, 144 people had been killed and 732 injured in the powerful earthquake in Myanmar, the local government told Xinhua. Many more casualties are likely due to the collapse of housing and other facilities, according to local residents.

The earthquake took place at 2:20 pm (Beijing time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center. The epicenter was monitored at 21.85 degrees north latitude and 95.95 degrees east longitude. The quake struck at a depth of 30 kilometers. The CENC said in a social media post that this was the strongest earthquake recorded so far this year.

A magnitude-6.4 aftershock occurred just 12 minutes later.

Myanmar's National Disaster Management Committee declared a state of emergency in six quake-affected areas and states, including Nay Pyi Daw, Sagaing region, Mandalay region, Magway region, northeast Shan state and Bago region, according to The Global New Light of Myanmar.

Striking about 20 kilometers northeast of Mandalay, the second-largest city in Myanmar, the quake caused the collapse of the 90-year-old Old Sagaing Bridge, and several buildings in Mandalay and Nay Pyi Daw. Some sections of the expressway linking Mandalay and Yangon were also damaged, causing road closures along the route.

The strong earthquake also prompted the closure of Mandalay and Nay Pyi Daw airports, according to a statement by Myanmar Airways International on social media.

People who got hurt during the earthquake were seen in crowds outside the emergency department at a major hospital in Nay Pyi Daw, according to AFP.

A government spokesperson urged the international community to give humanitarian aid as soon as possible. The Myanmar Red Cross Society said it had begun to provide first-aid and other emergency response in earthquake-hit areas.

"This is the strongest earthquake I have ever experienced in my life," said Win Zaw Htay, a staff member of The Global New Light of Myanmar in Yangon, adding "I tried to call some friends in Mandalay, but the line was busy so I could not reach them."

"The government is doing whatever possible (to help)," said Aye Chan, chief editor of Myanmar Insider magazine, who believes the humanitarian organizations will help in their private capacity.

The Chinese embassy in Myanmar said in a statement that Chinese nationals in Myanmar should remain on guard against earthquakes and secondary disasters. The embassy urged Chinese nationals to stay updated on earthquake and disaster prevention information and follow the arrangements and guidance of the local governments to relocate to safe areas.

Neighboring Thailand declared a state of emergency in Bangkok.

And two people were reported injured in Southwest China's Yunnan province.

Xinhua News Agency and Mekong News Network contributed to this story.

YANGON - At least 144 people were killed and 732 injured in a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on Friday, the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council reported.

Myanmar's State Administration Council Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said that the deaths included 96 from the capital Nay Pyi Taw, 18 from Sagaing and 30 from Kyaukse, according to the report.

The injured included 432 from Nay Pyi Taw and 300 from Sagaing, it added.

Many buildings were damaged, and rescue operations are underway, it said.

Min Aung Hlaing also called for assistance from the international community, the report said.

India felt mild tremors of the Myanmar earthquake in Kolkata in West Bengal, Imphal in Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram and Meghalya, provinces that border Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern, saying India stands ready to offer all possible assistance to Myanmar and Thailand.

The earthquake has rocked many parts of Thailand, including its capital Bangkok, the venue for next week's summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation regional grouping that is scheduled to be attended by Modi among other leaders.

"Concerned by the situation in the wake of the Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Praying for the safety and wellbeing of everyone," Modi said on 'X'.

"India stands ready to offer all possible assistance. In this regard, asked our authorities to be on standby. Also asked the MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) to remain in touch with the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand."

For Rajiamuchan Burgin, a resident of Thailand's capital city, the earthquake on Friday afternoon was the "severest earthquake (that I experienced) since I was born". Rajiamuchan was driving her car in downtown Bangkok and was stuck in a traffic jam when she felt the tremors.

"My car was shaking while the road signs also swung from left to right. My mind went blind and I was frozen at the moment," she said.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra put the capital city of Bangkok under a state of emergency following a strong earthquake in Myanmar that shook countries the region, including China and Thailand.

Apart from Bangkok, tremors were also felt in the northern Thailand provinces including Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on midday Friday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand announced "the immediate suspension of all trading activities" for the afternoon session. Trading was also suspended at Thailand's Market for Alternative Investment and the Thailand Futures Exchange.

Transportation was disrupted with the Bangkok Mass Transit System suspending operations on the Sukhumvit Line while the Air Traffic Control issuing a nationwide no-fly order for all airports in Thailand.

Later in the afternoon, the Airports of Thailand Public Company announced on Friday that six airports under its management, including those in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, have resumed normal operations as of 2:30 pm.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has declared the Thai capital a Level 2 disaster zone. He ordered the setting up an earthquake response command center, chaired the emergency meeting and instructed all districts and hospitals to assess damages.

Authorities issued nationwide alerts, advised the public via SMS and media, and mobilize security forces. Airports, hospitals, and transport are on standby.

Thailand's police and military were evacuating people from unsafe buildings, aiding victims, and managing traffic. Police hospitals were on standby for emergencies.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai visited the collapsed construction site in the district of Chatuchak in Bangkok where three fatalities have been confirmed, according to a report by online newspaper The Nation.

Phumtham identified two major collapse sites: the 34-story Budget Bureau building in Chatuchak and a three-story building in Bang Khun Thian, Bangkok's southernmost district.

When Rajiamuchan rolled down her car window to talk with a driver nearby, she said: "We just felt hard to believe. And it was really scary as we were all afraid of the possibility that the road may fall apart, but feel helpless because we could do nothing to it. I could only pray that it won't happen with another hit."

This reporter of China Daily personally experienced the sudden and intense shaking on Friday afternoon. It continued for a few seconds, paused briefly, and then resumed for another ten or more seconds.

Running out to a nearby parking lot, this reporter found streetlights on an elevated expressway, which was about 100 meters away from her, shaking violently.

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in its latest report that the Meteorological Department and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation are closely monitoring the situation and have warned of possible aftershocks. The Thai Meteorological Department will provide updates through its Facebook account.

Government agencies have likewise issued respective directives to manage the situation. The Ministry of Education has ordered the closure of schools nationwide, the Ministry of Public Health is establishing emergency response centers while the Ministry of Interior has instructed provincial governors to activate command centers.

Department stores in Metro Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Chiang Rai, Lampang and Phitsanuloke are temporarily closed until further notice.

A 7.9-magnitude earthquake rocked Myanmar on Friday, causing widespread damage in Mandalay, the country's second-largest city. At Mandalay International Airport, alarms blared as staff evacuated passengers to open areas. Video footage shows an aircraft on the tarmac shaking violently during aftershocks.

Source: Mekong News Network

A 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, with its epicenter about 17 km from the country’s second-largest city, Mandalay, which suffered extensive damage. The quake destroyed the iconic Mahamuni Pagoda and cracked highways in the region.

Mandalay International Airport also sustained heavy damage, leading to the temporary suspension of operations at Naypyidaw and Mandalay airports and the cancellation of all flights.

Source: Mekong News Network, Myanmar Insider

BANGKOK - The Chinese Consulate General in Thailand's Chiang Mai Friday advised Chinese nationals in the country to stay on alert against possible aftershocks after a strong quake jolted Myanmar.

The Chinese consulate general said in a statement that the strong earthquake struck Myanmar earlier in the day, with noticeable tremors felt in northern Thailand, including Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son provinces.

Some tourist attractions in Pai District of Mae Hong Son have collapsed as a result of the quake, it said.

The Chinese consulate general urged Chinese nationals in Thailand to closely follow official early warning information to be released by Thai authorities, and avoid staying on higher floors.

In the event of an earthquake, it asked Chinese nationals to remain calm and seek safe shelter as quickly as possible.

The Myanmar Fire Service Department said a 7.7-magnitude earthquake jolted central Myanmar, with the epicenter at a depth of 10.0 km, on Friday. The tremor caused "considerable damage" in some parts of Myanmar.

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake, followed by a second, 6.4-magnitude quake within an hour, hit central Myanmar on Friday, causing tremors across Southeast Asia. Videos showed that the ceiling of Mandalay International Airport had collapsed, leading to cancellation of all flights. The Sagaing and Magway regions, northeastern Shan State, and the cities of Mandalay and Naypyidaw declared states of emergency.