A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake has struck central Myanmar, causing widespread destruction across a densely populated region. According to preliminary assessments, more than 13 million people have been affected by the strong seismic activity.
Potential Casualties and Damage
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has issued a concerning initial estimate, indicating a 34% probability of up to 100,000 fatalities. This high casualty projection is largely attributed to the vulnerability of local building structures – primarily unreinforced masonry and older concrete construction types that are particularly susceptible to seismic damage.
Affected Areas
The earthquake’s impact has been felt across central Myanmar, with significant damage reported in the capital, Naypyitaw. Tremors were strong enough to cause panic as far away as Bangkok, Thailand. Multiple international news agencies, including Reuters, CNN, and the Associated Press, are reporting scenes of collapsed buildings and infrastructure damage throughout the affected region.
“Building types in the affected region are made of unreinforced masonry and older concrete construction, which makes the situation very dangerous,” notes Dr. H. Kit Miyamoto, S.E., Global CEO of Miyamoto International. “The strong motion affected a highly dense area over 200 miles long, impacting more than 13 million people.”
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