A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck parts of Asia early Monday, leaving a trail of destruction across southern China, northern Thailand, and Myanmar.
The quake occurred at 3:42 a.m. local time, with its epicenter in a mountainous area near the China–Myanmar border, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Measuring at a shallow depth of about 10 kilometers, the earthquake produced intense ground shaking, worsening the damage in nearby communities.
Preliminary reports indicate that dozens of people have died, hundreds have been injured, and many remain trapped beneath collapsed buildings. Emergency crews have been deployed and are working urgently to rescue survivors, though progress has been slowed by rubble, damaged infrastructure, and blocked roads.In northern Thailand, cities including Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai felt strong tremors. Officials have ordered evacuations in several areas due to fears of aftershocks and concerns that already weakened structures could collapse, increasing the risk to residents.
