Powerful Quake Rocks Myanmar, Thailand; More Than 150 Killed

Urgent international response needed in Myanmar: Guterres

- ASSOCIATED PRESS

A powerful earthquake rocked Myanmar and neighboring Thailand on Friday, destroying buildings, a bridge, and a dam. At least 144 people were killed in Myanmar, where photos and video from two hard-hit cities showed extensive damage. At least 10 died in the Thai capital, where a high-rise under construction collapsed.

The full extent of death, injury, and destruction was not immediately clear—particularly in Myanmar, one of the world's poorest countries. It is embroiled in a civil war, and information is tightly controlled.

"The death toll and injuries are expected to rise," the head of Myanmar's military government, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, said as he announced on television that at least 144 people were killed and 730 others were injured in his country.