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Earthquake in Myanmar Kills 3 and Damages Over 170 Temples Earthquake in Myanmar Kills 3 and Damages Over 170 Temples
(35 minutes later)
YANGON, Myanmar — An earthquake on Wednesday in Myanmar left at least three people dead and badly damaged dozens of ancient temples in the old city of Bagan, government officials said.YANGON, Myanmar — An earthquake on Wednesday in Myanmar left at least three people dead and badly damaged dozens of ancient temples in the old city of Bagan, government officials said.
The magnitude 6.8 temblor hit Chauk, along the Irrawaddy River in central Myanmar, according to the United States Geological Survey. The epicenter was almost 400 miles north of Yangon, the country’s largest city.The magnitude 6.8 temblor hit Chauk, along the Irrawaddy River in central Myanmar, according to the United States Geological Survey. The epicenter was almost 400 miles north of Yangon, the country’s largest city.
The quake caused landslides along the riverbanks and damaged more than 170 Buddhist temples in Bagan. The area is at the heart of Central Myanmar’s growing tourism industry, which has taken off since the country began a democratic transition in 2011.The quake caused landslides along the riverbanks and damaged more than 170 Buddhist temples in Bagan. The area is at the heart of Central Myanmar’s growing tourism industry, which has taken off since the country began a democratic transition in 2011.
According to officials from the Myanmar Fire Service Department responding to the quake, an 18-year-old woman and a 6-year-old girl were killed in a landslide in Yenangyaung, 40 miles downriver from the reported epicenter. A man was killed in the town of Pakokku, about 40 miles north of the epicenter, when a tobacco processing plant collapsed.According to officials from the Myanmar Fire Service Department responding to the quake, an 18-year-old woman and a 6-year-old girl were killed in a landslide in Yenangyaung, 40 miles downriver from the reported epicenter. A man was killed in the town of Pakokku, about 40 miles north of the epicenter, when a tobacco processing plant collapsed.
Witnesses in Bagan described a harrowing two-minute temblor in the middle of the afternoon that shook the ancient city and alarmed tourists visiting the ancient temples, some of which date back from the 11th century. Witnesses in Bagan described a harrowing two-minute temblor in the late afternoon that shook the ancient city and alarmed tourists visiting the ancient temples, some of which date back from the 11th century.
“I was in a van with tourists near a temple when I knew it was an earthquake,” said Min Min Myat, 35, a tour guide in the ancient city. “Then I ran away from the van to the ground. Everything here was shaking.”“I was in a van with tourists near a temple when I knew it was an earthquake,” said Min Min Myat, 35, a tour guide in the ancient city. “Then I ran away from the van to the ground. Everything here was shaking.”
She said he had never experienced a quake like the one that hit Wednesday, adding, “I don’t know how I can sleep tonight.” She said she had never experienced a quake like the one that hit Wednesday, adding, “I don’t know how I can sleep tonight.”
On Wednesday evening, government officials announced that the rescue and relief operations were underway, and they warned citizens about possible aftershocks.On Wednesday evening, government officials announced that the rescue and relief operations were underway, and they warned citizens about possible aftershocks.
Early this month, Myanmar’s tourism officials had announced plans to welcome more than five million tourists this year. Many of the country’s heritage sites in Bagan and surrounding cities were damaged in Wednesday’s quake; the full extent of the damage is not clear.Early this month, Myanmar’s tourism officials had announced plans to welcome more than five million tourists this year. Many of the country’s heritage sites in Bagan and surrounding cities were damaged in Wednesday’s quake; the full extent of the damage is not clear.
The earthquake could be felt in Yangon, 400 miles from the epicenter. In the capital, Naypyidaw, about 160 miles from the center of the earthquake, windows and ceiling tiles at the Parliament building were damaged, lawmakers said.The earthquake could be felt in Yangon, 400 miles from the epicenter. In the capital, Naypyidaw, about 160 miles from the center of the earthquake, windows and ceiling tiles at the Parliament building were damaged, lawmakers said.
The earthquake also affected Rakhine State in western Myanmar, where officials said a landmark temple collapsed in the ancient city of Mrauk-U.The earthquake also affected Rakhine State in western Myanmar, where officials said a landmark temple collapsed in the ancient city of Mrauk-U.