The eyes of the worlds news media are trained onThailandandMyanmar, where a devastating 7.7 magnitudeearthquakehas left hundreds feared dead.
The United States Geological survey reported that the earthquake struck around four hours ago at a rare magnitude that is described as major with the potential for serious damage.
News networks have since rushed to the scene and pictures and videos being reported by the media have set out the scale of the destruction, as 24/7 news channels quickly pivot their coverage.
Rescue workers walk past debris of a construction site after a building collapsed in Bangkok.LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty
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Reporting in depth from Myanmar has been difficult since a military junta seized power in 2021 but the BBC is reporting that hundreds are feared dead in Mandalay, Myanmars second-largest city.
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Dramatic photos of the damage show hotels and large buildings in Mandalay in a crumpled heap, coming as a state of emergency is declared in six regions of Myanmar including Mandalay.
The epicenter struck near Manadalay and a video posted on X and verified by the BBC shows a bridge collapsing near to a river.
Lauren DeCicca via Getty
The Red Cross has said that electricity and online grid lines are down in the area, meaning its difficult to assess the full damage.
In Thailands capital Bangkok, 70 construction workers are reported to be missing at the site of a collapsed building.
In a Facebook post, the National Institute for Emergency Medicine in Thailand said around 320 workers were on the site at the time of the collapse and 20 are trapped in the lift shafts.
Meanwhile, videos have been doing the rounds of water cascading from the rooftop pool of an intercontinental hotel in Bangkok, one of which can be seen below.
Hotel infinity pool water getting tossed around by 7.9 earthquake.#earthquake##mynmar#bangkokpic.twitter.com/kdKjUp8Rah
