KUALA LUMPUR — Myanmar was hit by a 5.1-magnitude aftershock today, a day after powerful earthquakes devastated several neighbouring nations, leaving more than a thousand dead.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the latest tremor struck near Pyinmana, approximately 24 km from Nay Pyi Taw, at around 2.50 pm local time, with tremors felt across Laos, Thailand, and parts of China.
The aftershock occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres and impacted many of the same regions already battered by Friday’s major quakes.
NDTV World, quoting USGS, said the region had already experienced at least a dozen aftershocks since the initial major earthquake yesterday near Sagaing, with magnitudes ranging between 2.8 and 7.5.
The initial quake at the epicentre in Sagaing was 7.7-magniture, and several aftershocks were in locations that formed a line northwards and southwards from the epicentre, indicating a tectonic fault line.
Myanmar authorities this morning put the current death toll at 1,002 fatalities and 2,376 injured.
Reuters earlier today reported USGS’ analysis, based on predictive modelling, that estimates the death toll could exceed 10,000 people.
The full extent of damage and potential casualties from the latest aftershock remains unclear as rescue and relief efforts continue.
Mandalay, Bago, Magway, northeastern Shan State, Sagaing, and Nay Pyi Taw have been identified as the hardest-hit areas, Xinhua news agency reported. – March 29, 2025