A major 7.7 magnitude earthquake has struck Myanmar, causing damage and casualties across the country and in neighbouring Thailand. The quake happened in central Myanmar at a depth of 6.2 miles just before 1pm local time (6:20 GMT),

A massive earthquake measuring 7.7 struck central Myanmar, with its tremors shaking Thailand on Friday. It toppled buildings, ruptured roads, killed at least 20 and caused widespread devastation. The powerful temblor highlights Myanmar’s vulnerability to earthquakes — it has seen over 14 with a magnitude of six or higher in the past 100 years.

Early Friday, a major 7.7 magnitude earthquake that originated near Mandalay, Myanmar, shook the Earth as far as Bangkok, about 800 miles (1,300 kilometers) away. Two hard-hit cities in Myanmar suffered extensive damage,