'Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake' Causes Massive Casualties in Myanmar... Buildings and Roads Collapsed

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Myanmar, causing a large number of casualties and widespread damage to buildings and roads, according to foreign media reports.

Road in Naypyidaw destroyed by earthquake / Photo by AFP Yonhap News

On the 28th (local time), an official from a general hospital in Myanmar's capital, Naypyidaw, stated that a large number of casualties occurred following the earthquake, AFP reported.

AFP reported that outside the emergency room of the 1,000-bed general hospital, injured people were lined up waiting for treatment.

Damage such as collapsed highways and buildings has also occurred. A resident of Yangon told CNN, "I felt the earthquake for about a minute and ran outside the building," adding, "It was a very sudden and strong tremor."

There were also reports of temporary disruptions in communication.

AP News, compiling videos and photos posted on social media, reported that the royal palace and buildings in Mandalay were damaged.

AP reported that a 90-year-old bridge in the Sagaing region southwest of Mandalay collapsed due to the earthquake, and parts of the highway connecting Mandalay and Yangon were also destroyed.