Myanmar-Bangkok Earthquake Live: Toll Rises To 1,644; Thailand Releases Helpline Numbers For Stranded Tourists

A powerful earthquake centred in Myanmar has killed more than 150 people in the war-torn country and neighbouring Thailand and caused widespread damage.

Here is what we know:

Powerful, and shallow

The 7.7-magnitude quake hit northwest of Myanmar’s Sagaing at 12:50 pm (0650 GMT) on Friday at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres (six miles).

It was followed minutes later by a powerful 6.7-magnitude aftershock and a dozen smaller tremors.

Over 150 killed

At least 144 people have been confirmed dead in the quake in Myanmar, according to the country’s junta chief.

However, Min Aung Hlaing warned the toll was likely to rise given the widespread destruction across the country.

Widespread damage

The quake caused extensive damage in Myanmar.

There was massive destruction in Mandalay, where multiple buildings collapsed into piles of rubble and twisted metal coated in dust, dotted with people attempting rescues.

The Ava bridge running across the Irawaddy river from Sagaing, built nearly 100 years ago, collapsed into the swirling waters below.

Aid pleas, offers

The scale of the devastation prompted Myanmar’s isolated military regime to make a rare plea for international assistance.

Myanmar’s junta chief invited “any country, any organisation” to help with relief and said he he “opened all ways for foreign aid”.

Offers of assistance flooded in, with India among the first to say it was ready to help.