Myanmar Earthquake: Dead Climb to 60

Two earthquakes hit the southeast Asian country of Myanmar, also known as Burma, on March 24, 2011. The Myanmar earthquakes occurred less than a minute apart and could be felt as far away as Bangkok, Thailand.

The 6.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Myanmar on Thursday has killed 50 people and injured 40, with the death toll expected to rise slightly, a local administration official said on Friday.

“Total death toll has now reached nearly 60 and several people injured while over 100 buildings were destroyed,” a Civil Administration official based the Myanmar town of Tachilek, close to the epicentre of the quake, told Reuters by telephone.

The quake was centred 111 km north of the Thai town of Chiang Rai. One person was confirmed dead in Thailand.