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Thousands are feared dead after a huge earthquake hit Thailand and Myanmar this morning, destroying buildings and sparking fears that dams could collapse, leading to catastrophic flooding.
The US Geological Survey forecast thousands of losses after the 7.7 magnitude quake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar's second largest city early on Friday.
The shallow tremor struck central Myanmar at 13.20 local time (6.50GMT), and was followed minutes later by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock.
Officials at a major hospital in Naypyidaw, the capital, declared it a 'mass casualty area', with the death toll expected to rise after buildings fell and debris scattered.
'I haven't seen (something) like this before. We are trying to handle the situation. I'm so exhausted now,' a doctor told the AFP news agency.
Professor Ian Main, Personal Chair in Seismology and Rock Physics, School of GeoSciences, at the University of Edinburgh said: 'The damage is likely to be very severe near the epicentre- based on the estimated intensity of ground shaking above, and maps of population density and vulnerability of buildings.
'The USGS 'PAGER' forecast loss is, sadly, most likely to be in the range 10,000-100,000 fatalities,' he said, referring to the American agency's earthquake impact report.
The force caused a mosque in Mandalay to collapse, with at least ten worshippers reported to have been killed.
More than 20 children are also believed to be trapped in a destroyed school in Taungoo, central Myanmar.
Shocking footage showed workers fleeing in neighbouring Thailand as a 30-storey high-rise building under construction in Bangkok collapsed around them.
At least three people were killed as the skyscraper toppled. Local authorities said that dozens of workers have been rescued from the site, though 90 are still missing.
More here with video...
Ten thousand feared dead in Thailand and Myanmar
The US Geological Survey forecast thousands of losses after the 7.7 magnitude quake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar's second largest city early on Friday.
The shallow tremor struck central Myanmar at 13.20 local time (6.50GMT), and was followed minutes later by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock.
Officials at a major hospital in Naypyidaw, the capital, declared it a 'mass casualty area', with the death toll expected to rise after buildings fell and debris scattered.
'I haven't seen (something) like this before. We are trying to handle the situation. I'm so exhausted now,' a doctor told the AFP news agency.
Professor Ian Main, Personal Chair in Seismology and Rock Physics, School of GeoSciences, at the University of Edinburgh said: 'The damage is likely to be very severe near the epicentre- based on the estimated intensity of ground shaking above, and maps of population density and vulnerability of buildings.
'The USGS 'PAGER' forecast loss is, sadly, most likely to be in the range 10,000-100,000 fatalities,' he said, referring to the American agency's earthquake impact report.
The force caused a mosque in Mandalay to collapse, with at least ten worshippers reported to have been killed.
More than 20 children are also believed to be trapped in a destroyed school in Taungoo, central Myanmar.
Shocking footage showed workers fleeing in neighbouring Thailand as a 30-storey high-rise building under construction in Bangkok collapsed around them.
At least three people were killed as the skyscraper toppled. Local authorities said that dozens of workers have been rescued from the site, though 90 are still missing.
More here with video...
Ten thousand feared dead in Thailand and Myanmar
