Powerful earthquake hits Myanmar, with strong tremors felt in Yangon

As a powerful earthquake rocked central Myanmar on Friday, strong tremors were felt in Yangon, the country's largest city, where residents were startled and schools carried out emergency evacuations.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck 16 km NNW of Sagaing, central Myanmar at around 12:50 local time (06:20 GMT) on Friday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The epicenter, with a depth of 10.0 km, was initially determined to be at 22.01 degrees north latitude and 95.92 degrees east longitude.

Although Yangon lies far from the earthquake's epicenter, the city still experienced significant tremors that left a strong impact on the residents.

"When the earthquake was occurring, the whole classroom shook violently. The teachers quickly evacuated the students. The desks and chairs also swayed intensely, and everyone felt dizzy," recalled a local resident.

Another resident, a security guard, said he had never felt such strong tremors, and that his children were also terrified.

"I was on patrol as a security guard during the quake. It was the first time in my life I felt such intense tremors and shaking. I've never experienced anything like it before, and the strong tremors made me feel extremely dizzy. There was no damage at home, but my children were terrified and are still feeling disoriented," he said.

Later on Friday evening, business activities and traffic in Yangon gradually resumed, and many residents who had sought shelter outdoors began returning to their buildings.

At least 144 people have been killed and 732 others injured in the earthquake, according to the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council.

The tremors were felt in China, Thailand, and Laos.

Powerful earthquake hits Myanmar, with strong tremors felt in Yangon

Powerful earthquake hits Myanmar, with strong tremors felt in Yangon

Powerful earthquake hits Myanmar, with strong tremors felt in Yangon

Powerful earthquake hits Myanmar, with strong tremors felt in Yangon

The Bhumjaithai Party has emerged as the largest party in Thailand's House of Representatives, according to preliminary results released by the country's Election Commission on Monday.

As of 94 percent vote counting the Bhumjaithai Party captured 193 seats.

"Bhumjaithai's victory today is a victory for all Thais, whether you voted for Bhumjaithai Party or not," said Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister and leader of the Bhumjaithai Party at a press conference on Sunday.

Thai political analyst said the desire for stability is the key for Anutin's election success.

"What determined the winning of the election this time is the nationalist sentiments, the conflict that we have with Cambodia, the stability that they need at this particular point. And I think for the rural voters who actually voted more for Bhumjaithai, for them, I think they need a safety net which is not about large economic reforms, but they need something which is closer to them," said Virot Ari, a political analyst at Bangkok’s Thammasat University.

Since the Bhumjaithai Party failed to secure more than half of the seats in the lower house, it has to form a coalition government with other political parties.

The People's Party and the Pheu Thai Party ranked second and third, respectively, with 118 and 74 seats. The Kla Tham Party and the Democratic Party each got 58 and 22 seats, taking fourth and fifth positions.

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of Thailand's People's Party, told the press on Sunday that the party is ready to act as the opposition party.

"No matter the reasons behind how people voted today, the People's Party is ready to continue working in politics, to rebuild political institutions, and to push forward policies for all people," he said.

Thailand’s Bhumjaithai Party prepares for coalition talks after election win