At least 154 people died in a powerful, 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar on Friday and caused widespread damage in neighboring Thailand and southwestern China.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said that the epicentre of the 7.7-magnitude earthquake was 16 kilometres north-northwest of the town of Sagaing in Myanmar

The 7.7 earthquake hit in Myanmar at about lunchtime on Friday, toppling buildings and bridges and shutting down airports.