Myanmar Officials Put Earthquake Death Toll at 75

After media reports began surfacing of damages and deaths in Thursday’s powerful earthquake in northeast Myanmar government officials confirmed nearly 100 people were killed and hundreds of buildings were damaged.

Officials put the death toll at 75 on Friday and aid agencies warned the death toll could rise significantly. At least 111 people were injured. State-run radio reported 390 houses, 14 Buddhist monasteries and 9 government buildings were damaged.

The 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Myanmar’s borders with Thailand, Laos and China at a depth of 6 miles. The epicenter was located about 70 miles from Chiang Rai, Thailand and 364 miles from Myanmar’s capital of Rangoon. The tremor was felt as far away as Bangkok, which is located about 480 miles from the epicenter. Minor damage was reported in Thailand.

###

Click here for more World News