Myanmar earthquake leaves 9 dead, 101 missing in Thai capital Bangkok

BANGKOK -- Nine people were dead, nine injured and 101 others remained missing in the capital Bangkok, Thai authorities said on Saturday after a powerful earthquake struck Myanmar, sending strong tremors across Thailand.

According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), emergency disaster areas have been declared in Bangkok and two other provinces, with authorities conducting structural safety assessments and damage surveys across the affected regions.

Phasakorn Boonyalak, director general of the DDPM, said 14 provinces have reported damage following the earthquake that rocked central Myanmar on Friday afternoon.

Tremors were felt in 57 provinces, particularly in Bangkok, prompting mass evacuations from office buildings, residential complexes, and convention centers as people gathered on the streets and in parks as temporary shelters.

The earthquake disrupted multiple subway and skytrain services in Bangkok, bringing traffic to a standstill. Most train services resumed normal operations by Saturday morning.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said during a meeting for earthquake disaster updates and relief measures on Saturday that the earthquake situation has stabilized, with aftershock intensity gradually weakening.