Shock footage has captured the moment the 8.2 magnitude Myanmar earthquake tremors sent a multi-story skyscraper tumbling to the ground.
Today’s horror earthquake has collapsed buildings across Thailand and Myanmar after radiating from neighbouring Mandalay, in Burma. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has released a red alert warning there is a 34 percent chance between 10,000 and 100,000 could die following the disaster. It warned about probable “high casualties and extensive damage”, with distressing videos taken at the scene outlining the apocalyptic damage wrought throughout the region. One video posted today shows the moment the earthquake took out a multi-storey building near the epicentre as shocked locals looked on and became visibly panicked as a cloud of dust surged out and towards them as they stood on the street.
The video is just one of dozens that have emerged following today’s disaster, with the first few clips posted this morning showing people struggling to stand as they rocked in the tremors. Other videos showed people clutching at one another as they braced on the platform of a local metro in Bangkok.
As the crisis continued to unfold, additional footage captured an under-construction high rise collapsing to the ground in a similar puff of dust, and one luxury apartment building in the Thai city’s centre spewing water from an infinity pool in a dramatic cascade. The collapsing buildings have proven deadly in some cases, with a construction worker killed in Bangkok after a collapsed building site hit his truck.
Another worker was killed when he was crushed by falling debris, rescue worker Songwut Wangpon told reporters from local media outlets.
Thai Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said in all three people were killed at the site and 90 are missing. He offered no more details about the ongoing rescue efforts but first responders said that seven people had been rescued so far from outside the collapsed building.
Rescue workers say the rubble is still too unstable for them to try and find people possibly trapped beneath. Myanmar’s military-run government declared a state of emergency in six regions and states including the capital Naypyitaw and Mandalay, but with the country in the midst of a prolonged bloody civil war it was not clear how help would get to many regions.
The Red Cross said downed power lines are adding to challenges for their teams trying to reach Mandalay and Sagaing regions and southern Shan state.
A spokesperson for the medical charity said the earthquake had likely caused “significant damage”, echoing a report from the USGS predicting its potential impact this morning. The Red Cross said: “Initial reports from the ground suggest the earthquake has caused significant damage.
“Information on humanitarian needs is still being gathered.” The USGS issued a red alert following the earthquake this morning stating that “high casualties and extensive damage” are probable, with similar alerts issued in the past having demanded a national-level response from local authorities.
The alert read: “Red alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. High casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread. Past red alerts have required a national or international response.”
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