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Myanmar earthquake: What we know Myanmar earthquake: What we know
(about 20 hours later)
A collapsed multi-storey building in Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest cityA collapsed multi-storey building in Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city
A huge earthquake has hit central Myanmar. Myanmar is reeling following the huge earthquake which hit the country on Friday, 28 March.
The magnitude-7.7 tremor was felt elsewhere, including in Thailand and south-west China.The magnitude-7.7 tremor was felt elsewhere, including in Thailand and south-west China.
More than 1,600 people have died and more than 3,000 have been injured, although it is difficult to obtain accurate information. More than 1,700 people have died and more than 3,400 have been injured, say the leaders of the country's military government. In Thailand, at least 17 lost their lives.
Here is what we know so far.Here is what we know so far.
Where did the earthquake strike?Where did the earthquake strike?
The earthquake's epicentre was located 16km (10 miles) north-west of Myanmar's city Sagaing, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.The earthquake's epicentre was located 16km (10 miles) north-west of Myanmar's city Sagaing, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.
This is also near Myanmar's second-largest city, Mandalay, with a population of about 1.5 million people - and about 100km (60 miles) north of the capital Nay Pyi Taw.This is also near Myanmar's second-largest city, Mandalay, with a population of about 1.5 million people - and about 100km (60 miles) north of the capital Nay Pyi Taw.
The first earthquake struck around 12:50 local time (06:20 GMT) on Friday, according to the USGS. A second earthquake struck 12 minutes later, with a magnitude of 6.4. Its epicentre was 18km (11 miles) south of Sagaing. The first earthquake struck around 12:50 (06:20 GMT), according to the USGS. A second earthquake struck 12 minutes later, with a magnitude of 6.4. Its epicentre was 18km (11 miles) south of Sagaing.
Live: Follow the latest on the Myanmar earthquakeLive: Follow the latest on the Myanmar earthquake
Watch: Moment Bangkok high-rise under construction collapsesWatch: Moment Bangkok high-rise under construction collapses
Eyewitnesses describe horror in quake's aftermathEyewitnesses describe horror in quake's aftermath
In pictures: Damaged buildings and buckled roadsIn pictures: Damaged buildings and buckled roads
Which areas were affected?Which areas were affected?
In Myanmar, there are reports of roads buckling in the capital in addition to damage to buildings across the country. The strong quake buckled roads, damaged bridges and flattened many buildings in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) - a country of some 55 million people.
The ruling junta said 1,591 houses had been damaged in Mandalay region. It is considered to be one of the most geologically "active" areas in the world.
The ruling junta said 1,591 houses had been damaged in Mandalay region. Scores of people remain trapped with rescuers searching "with bare hands".
Strong tremors were also felt elsewhere, including in Thailand and south-west China.Strong tremors were also felt elsewhere, including in Thailand and south-west China.
In the Thai capital Bangkok, about 50 construction workers are unaccounted for and six dead after an unfinished high-rise building collapsed. What caused the Myanmar earthquake - and why did it make a tower in Bangkok collapse?
"We always have hope. We work tirelessly and are still working around the clock to make sure that everybody is safe," Thai Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnweerakul told reporters. The Thai capital, Bangkok, sits more than 1,000km (621 miles) from the epicentre of Friday's earthquake - and yet an unfinished high-rise building in the city was felled by it.
Rescue officials at the site said they detected at least 15 people alive but very deep under the rubble. Videos also showed rooftop pools in Bangkok spilling over the sides of swaying buildings.
A video also showed a rooftop pool in Bangkok spilling over the sides of a swaying building.
Watch: Water from Bangkok rooftop pool spills on to the streetWatch: Water from Bangkok rooftop pool spills on to the street
How deadly was it?How deadly was it?
The official death toll now stands at 1,644. Many of the fatalities were in Mandalay. The official death toll now stands at 1,700. Many of the fatalities were in Mandalay.
More than 3,400 people were injured and 139 are missing. More than 3,400 people were injured and 300 are missing.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with one rescue team in Mandalay saying they were "digging people out with our bare hands".Rescue operations are ongoing, with one rescue team in Mandalay saying they were "digging people out with our bare hands".
Meanwhile, in Bangkok, 17 people have been confirmed dead - 12 of them at the high-rise building, where 83 remain missing.
Moment Bangkok high-rise collapses following Myanmar earthquakeMoment Bangkok high-rise collapses following Myanmar earthquake
How hard is it to find out what's happening in Myanmar?How hard is it to find out what's happening in Myanmar?
Getting information out of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is difficult. Getting information out of Myanmar is difficult.
Myanmar has been ruled by a military junta since a coup in 2021, complicating access to information.Myanmar has been ruled by a military junta since a coup in 2021, complicating access to information.
The state controls almost all local radio, television, print and online media. Internet use is also restricted.The state controls almost all local radio, television, print and online media. Internet use is also restricted.
Mobile lines in the affected areas have been patchy, but tens of thousands of people also live without electricity, making it difficult for the BBC to reach residents.Mobile lines in the affected areas have been patchy, but tens of thousands of people also live without electricity, making it difficult for the BBC to reach residents.
Foreign journalists are rarely allowed into the country officially.Foreign journalists are rarely allowed into the country officially.
Some international aid - mainly from China and India - has begun to arrive after the military authorities issued a rare appeal.
The Red Cross has issued an urgent appeal for $100m (£77m).
What causes earthquakes?What causes earthquakes?
The Earth's crust is made up of separate bits, called plates, that nestle alongside each other.The Earth's crust is made up of separate bits, called plates, that nestle alongside each other.
These plates often try to move but are prevented by the friction of rubbing up against an adjoining one.These plates often try to move but are prevented by the friction of rubbing up against an adjoining one.
But sometimes the pressure builds until one plate suddenly jerks across, causing the surface to move.But sometimes the pressure builds until one plate suddenly jerks across, causing the surface to move.
They are measured on a scale called the Moment Magnitude Scale (Mw). This has replaced the Richter scale, now considered outdated and less accurate.They are measured on a scale called the Moment Magnitude Scale (Mw). This has replaced the Richter scale, now considered outdated and less accurate.
The number attributed to an earthquake represents a combination of the distance the fault line has moved and the force that moved it.The number attributed to an earthquake represents a combination of the distance the fault line has moved and the force that moved it.
A tremor of 2.5 or less usually cannot be felt, but can be detected by instruments. Quakes of up to five are felt and cause minor damage. The Myanmar earthquake at 7.7 is classified as major and usually causes serious damage, as it has in this instance.A tremor of 2.5 or less usually cannot be felt, but can be detected by instruments. Quakes of up to five are felt and cause minor damage. The Myanmar earthquake at 7.7 is classified as major and usually causes serious damage, as it has in this instance.
Anything above 8.0 causes catastrophic damage and can totally destroy communities at its centre.Anything above 8.0 causes catastrophic damage and can totally destroy communities at its centre.
Is it safe to travel to Myanmar, Thailand or Laos?Is it safe to travel to Myanmar, Thailand or Laos?
The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has warned about the possibility of several strong aftershocks in places affected by the earthquake.The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has warned about the possibility of several strong aftershocks in places affected by the earthquake.
It has advised people in the area, or tourists planning to travel to Myanmar, Thailand or Laos, to monitor local media and follow the advice of local authorities and tour operators.It has advised people in the area, or tourists planning to travel to Myanmar, Thailand or Laos, to monitor local media and follow the advice of local authorities and tour operators.
The FCDO has also previously issued advice against travel to parts of Myanmar and all-but essential travel to parts of Thailand and Laos.The FCDO has also previously issued advice against travel to parts of Myanmar and all-but essential travel to parts of Thailand and Laos.
Myanmar's security situation "may deteriorate at short notice and the military regime can introduce travel restrictions at any time" amid an "increasingly volatile" conflict, it said.Myanmar's security situation "may deteriorate at short notice and the military regime can introduce travel restrictions at any time" amid an "increasingly volatile" conflict, it said.
The FCDO's warning for parts of Thailand is "due to regular attacks in the provinces by the border with Malaysia" and its advice for Laos relates to "intermittent attacks on infrastructure and armed clashes with anti-government groups" in Xaisomboun province.The FCDO's warning for parts of Thailand is "due to regular attacks in the provinces by the border with Malaysia" and its advice for Laos relates to "intermittent attacks on infrastructure and armed clashes with anti-government groups" in Xaisomboun province.
How does this compare with other large earthquakes?How does this compare with other large earthquakes?
This earthquake and its aftershocks were relatively shallow - about 10km in depth.This earthquake and its aftershocks were relatively shallow - about 10km in depth.
That means the impact on the surface is likely to have been more devastating than a deeper earthquake, with buildings shaken much harder and more likely to collapse.That means the impact on the surface is likely to have been more devastating than a deeper earthquake, with buildings shaken much harder and more likely to collapse.
On 26 December 2004, one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded struck off the coast of Indonesia, triggering a tsunami that swept away entire communities around the Indian Ocean. That 9.1 magnitude quake killed about 228,000 people.On 26 December 2004, one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded struck off the coast of Indonesia, triggering a tsunami that swept away entire communities around the Indian Ocean. That 9.1 magnitude quake killed about 228,000 people.
The largest ever earthquake registered 9.5 and was recorded in Chile in 1960.The largest ever earthquake registered 9.5 and was recorded in Chile in 1960.