After the earthquake, the Myanmar military government declared a "state of emergency" across the central region of the country, including the major city of Mandalay and the capital Naypyidaw.
"A state of emergency" has been declared in the Sagaing, Mandalay, Bago and Magway areas as well as eastern Shan State. An emergency has also been imposed in the capital Naypyidaw.
In addition to declaring a state of emergency in six areas, Myanmar's ruling military regime has called for international humanitarian aid.
According to AFP, military chief Min Aung Hlaing visited a hospital in Naypyidaw, which treated the injured after the strong earthquake.
"We want the international community to provide humanitarian aid as soon as possible," military government spokesman Zaw Min Tun said at a hospital in Naypyidaw. Spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said that patients in Mandalay, Naypyidaw and Sagaing need to be donated blood.
Reuters reported that three people were killed after a church in Myanmar collapsed partially in a powerful earthquake. Two witnesses in Taungoo town, in the Bago region of central Myanmar confirmed that 3 people died. These are the first casualties reported in connection with the earthquake in Myanmar.
Meanwhile, in Thailand, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared the capital Bangkok a "terrorist area" after a strong earthquake originated in Myanmar.
A large building in Bangkok's Chatuchak Park collapsed, killing one person, and damage from the earthquake was reported across the city.
According to a statement from the Thai Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra "immediately instructed the Ministry of Home Affairs to declare Bangkok an emergency area and notify provinces nationwide to consider the current situation as a national emergency, allowing immediate public assistance if needed".
The prime minister will return to Bangkok immediately, and urge people to stay away from high-rise buildings, only use mountain stairs and stay calm. All government agencies have been notified and schools have been instructed to let children return home early, the statement said.
The Thai government has also warned that more earthquakes could occur in the next 24 hours. A 6.4-magnitude earthquake occurred in Myanmar after an initial 7.7magnitude earthquake.
According to Reuters, the International Red Cross is actively coordinating with colleagues in Myanmar and Thailand to assess the impact and ensure timely response to this disaster. At the same time, the International Red Cross Society continues to closely monitor developments and coordinate with local organizations to provide necessary support to the most severely affected areas. Currently, the exact number of casualties has not been determined.
