Asia is currently experiencing a severe emergency following a strong 7.7-mag earthquake that occurred early on Monday morning. Large areas of southern China, northern Thailand, and Myanmar were all impacted by the earthquake.
With its epicenter in a mountainous region along the border between Yunnan Province, China, and Myanmar, the earthquake struck at 3:42 a.m. local time. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that it struck at a shallow depth of roughly 10 kilometers.
According to preliminary reports, hundreds have been hurt, dozens have died, and many more are still trapped beneath debris and collapsed buildings. Rescue crews are in a race against time to get to the survivors.
Major northern Thai cities like Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai felt the full force of the earthquake. Mass evacuations were mandated by the local authorities as a precaution against aftershocks and possible structural damage.
In certain places, communication lines have been cut off, making rescue operations more difficult. Also impeding response teams are infrastructure damage and power outages.
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California fire victim died trying to save home from flames: Report
One of the five people confirmed to have died in the Los Angeles wildfires was killed when he refused to evacuate in order to try and protect his home, his sister said.
Victor Shaw, 66, refused to comply with pleas to evacuate by firefighters in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County, his sister, Shari Shaw, told local US broadcaster KTLA.
âI had to get out because the embers were so big and flying like a firestorm that I had to save myself,â Shaw said.
âI looked behind me, and the house was starting to go up in flames, and I had to leave,â she said.
