Myanmar was jolted by a 5.5 magnitude earthquake on Sunday morning near Meiktila, a small city in the central region, reigniting fears as the country continues to recover from the devastating 7.7-magnitude quake that struck on March 28. The latest tremor, one of the strongest aftershocks since the deadly earthquake, has raised concerns of further damage and casualties.
According to the US Geological Survey, the epicenter of the Sunday morning earthquake was located approximately 97 kilometers south of Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, which had already suffered extensive damage during last month’s catastrophic earthquake. The tremor was measured at a depth of 20 kilometers, though the US Geological Survey estimated the depth at 7.7 kilometers.
The earthquake came as Myanmar is still in the midst of relief efforts from the aftermath of the March 28 quake, which killed 3,649 people and displaced many more. Despite the significant strength of the aftershock, there were no immediate reports of major damage or casualties, although there were reports of damage to some buildings and ceilings in Wundwin township, where the epicenter was located.
Sunday’s quake occurred on the first day of Myanmar’s traditional New Year celebrations, the Thingyan holiday. However, public festivities for the holiday had already been canceled due to the ongoing recovery efforts.
Residents in the affected area reported that the tremor was so intense that people rushed out of buildings, though there were no reports of significant damage from the capital Naypyitaw. In addition, many citizens voiced their concerns over potential retaliation by the military government for speaking to journalists, as the regime is known for closely controlling the dissemination of information.
The latest earthquake has added to the growing anxiety in the region, especially given the dire humanitarian crisis that Myanmar is facing due to ongoing civil unrest. The United Nations has warned that the March 28 earthquake severely disrupted agricultural production and worsened the existing humanitarian challenges, as many medical facilities in the quake-affected areas were damaged or destroyed.
Sources By Agencies
