Myanmar footage shows the consequences of a devastating earthquake (video)

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck the early afternoon in Myanmar on Friday, causing deaths and destruction. The quake was registered at about 12.50 hours. Local time near Mandalay, the former royal capital, which is home to about 1.5 million people and is proud of many historical temple complexes and palaces.

The ruling military junta did not publish an official number of those killed, although the diplomatic spokesman for the parallel government of national unity said at least 12 people had been killed so far in the Mandalay area.

However, there have been reports of dozens of other deaths, including about 20 people who died at a large hospital in Nepido, the capital, as well as five staff members at Nipido International Airport after the collapse of the traffic control tower and at least four people who were killed after the mosque collapsed.

According to other sources, at least 144 people were victims of the earthquake and another 730 were injured. International organizations such as Amnesty International have warned that the damage is significant in inaccessible places and called on the military to allow humanitarian workers and rescuers to enter freely, saying that the earthquake « cannot come at a worse moment » for a war-free country.