Death toll in Myanmar quake rises to 144

A powerful earthquake centred in Myanmar rocked Southeast Asia on Friday, killing at least 144 people in that country, according to state media, and toppling buildings across a wide area.

The quake also hit Thailand, where rescuers in the capital Bangkok were searching in the rubble of a tower block that had been under construction and collapsed. 

The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.7, jolted 16 km NNW of Sagaing, Myanmar earlier in the day, the U.S. Geological Survey said. 

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. 

The quake caused considerable damage to some buildings, including the walled fort of Mandalay Palace.
Multiple structures in Mandalay Region suffered collapses, while several roads linking Mandalay and Yangon were damaged or blocked, disrupting transportation. 

The Myanmar Fire Service Department said that a rescue operation has been conducted in response to the earthquake. 

Myanmar's National Disaster Management Committee declared a state of emergency across six regions in the southeast Asian country. 

The Myanmar government will promptly conduct damage assessments and emergency relief efforts in the affected areas, ensuring the provision of necessary disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, according to the State Administration Council.