Earthquake Aftermath: Chaos Beyond Myanmar's Borders

A powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, resulting in structural damage and panic in neighboring Thailand. Indian tourists in Thailand began returning home, reported tremors causing emergency measures like evacuating buildings and shutting down public transport.

The quiet of a usual day in Myanmar was shattered as a formidable 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck on Friday, extending its reach to neighboring Thailand. The seismic event resulted in structural damages and generated palpable panic among the residents and tourists alike. Notably, Indian nationals, forming a sizable portion of Thailand's visitors, initiated their return home upon experiencing the quake's force.

As Friday night unfolded, Kolkata airport became a hub for returning Indian passengers from Bangkok. Among them, Ranjan Banerjee shared insights into the aftermath in Thailand, recounting the immediate evacuation of malls and offices as precautionary measures. 'The situation has calmed down now, but the initial shock was chaotic, with public places being evacuated and metro services halted,' he told ANI.

Echoing the sentiment, another passenger, Safdar, vividly recalled witnessing skyscrapers sway and an infinity pool overflow, heightening fears of structural failures, though none occurred. 'Public transport faced temporary suspension, adding to the chaos,' he noted. Sanjiv Dutta, also returning to India, described waking to find his bed shaking, and later witnessing panic-stricken crowds on the streets. 'Traffic chaos ensued, making the journey from the city center excruciatingly slow,' he recounted to ANI.

(With inputs from agencies.)