No Maldivians Reported Hurt in Myanmar-Thailand Earthquake

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that no Maldivians were injured in the powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand on Friday. The 7.7-magnitude tremor hit central Myanmar, near the city of Sagaing, followed by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock. The earthquake caused significant damage, including collapsed buildings and ruptured roads. The well-known Ava bridge also collapsed during the tremors.

In Thailand, where there is a considerable Maldivian population, the earthquake caused high-rise buildings to shake. A 30-storey building under construction in Bangkok also collapsed. Despite the widespread impact, the Ministry reported that no Maldivians were harmed in either country.

The Ministry is in contact with the Maldivian Embassy in Bangkok and is closely monitoring the situation. They are also using diplomatic channels to check if any Maldivians are in the affected areas of Myanmar.

Both Myanmar and Thailand have declared a state of emergency following the devastation. The Ministry has advised all Maldivians in the affected regions to follow local government instructions and to reach out to embassy hotlines for assistance if needed.

So far, the earthquake has resulted in 20 confirmed deaths across both countries, with many more feared trapped under debris.