Central Myanmar shaken by new quake following late March temblor

BANGKOK — A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck on Sunday morning close to Meiktila, a small metropolis in central Myanmar, in accordance with the U.S. Geological Survey.

The quake got here as Myanmar is engaged in reduction efforts following a large 7.7 magnitude temblor that additionally hit the nation’s central area on March 28. The epicenter of the newest quake was roughly hallway between Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-biggest metropolis, which suffered huge harm and casualties in final month’s earthquake, and Naypyitaw, the capital, the place a number of authorities places of work have been then broken.

There have been no rapid experiences of main harm or casualties attributable to the brand new quake, one of many strongest of tons of of aftershocks from the March 28 temblor. As of Friday, the loss of life toll from that quake was 3,649, with 5,018 injured, in accordance with Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, a spokesperson for Myanmar’s navy authorities.

Myanmar’s Meteorological Division mentioned Sunday’s quake occurred within the space of Wundwin township, 97 kilometers (60 miles) south of Mandalay, at a depth of 20 kilometers (12 miles). The U.S. Geological Survey estimated the depth at 7.7 km (4.8 miles).

Two Wundwin residents instructed The Related Press by cellphone the quake was so sturdy that individuals rushed out of buildings and that ceilings in some dwellings have been broken. A resident of Naypyitaw additionally reached by cellphone mentioned he didn’t really feel the newest quake. These contacted requested to not be named for worry of angering the navy authorities, which prefers to intently management info.

The United Nations final week warned that harm attributable to the March 28 quake will worsen the present humanitarian disaster in Myanmar, the place a civil battle had already displaced greater than 3 million folks.

It mentioned the quake severely disrupted agricultural manufacturing and {that a} well being emergency loomed as a result of many medical services within the quake zone have been broken or destroyed.

Sunday’s quake occurred on the morning of the primary day of the nation’s three-day Thingyan vacation, which celebrates the normal New 12 months. Public festivities for the vacation had already been canceled.