AT 12:51:02 pm on 28 March, a very strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 on the Richter Scale struck, centred at a depth of 10 kilometres. The epicentre was approximately 21 kilometres northeast of the Mandalay seismic station and about 20 kilometres northeast of Mandalay City, at coordinates 22.09° North Latitude and 96.23° East Longitude. Following the main quake, about three aftershocks were recorded.
The strong earthquake destroyed roads, bridges and buildings in Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway and Bago regions and northeastern Shan State and Nay Pyi Taw Council Area.
A few hours after the earthquake, Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing inspected the earthquake-affected areas in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area. The Senior General and party inspected damage to roads and bridges caused by the earthquake from Pinlaung junction to the traffic light of the Nay Pyi Taw Command Headquarters damaged roads and bridges on Yazahtani Road and Pyinmana-Taungnyo Road. The Senior General gave guidance on priority to be given to ensuring convenient travel of the people and improvement of the routes with the use of manpower and heavy machinery as quickly as possible.
The Senior General viewed providing medical treatment to the patients who sustained injuries in the earthquake at the Nay Pyi Taw General Hospital (1,000-bed) and comforted patients. He instructed officials to provide necessary healthcare services to the injured as soon as possible through cooperation between the Ministry of Health and the Directorate of Medical Services.
The Senior General viewed rescue and relief operations for housing damaged by the earthquake at Khayay staff housing near Nay Pyi Taw Myoma Market and the collapse of shops in Thabyaygon market. He instructed officials to prioritize expeditious rescue of the people enclosed in the damaged buildings, providing full equipment for volunteers to perform rescue and relief measures, and take care of safety and others.
MNA/TTA
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