At least 10 killed in 7.0-magnitude quake in Myanmar

At least 10 people were killed in landslides and building collapse in Myanmar's northeastern Tachileik and Tarpin, Shan state, caused by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake Thursday night.

Graphics shows the information of a 7.2-magnitude earthquake which hit Myanmar on March 24, 2011, sourced by the China Earthquake Networks Center. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

According to Myanmar's Meteorology and Hydrology Department, the quake that hit Loimwe, some 56 km southeast of Kengtung, Shan state, occurred at 8:29 p.m. local time (1369 GMT).

The quake, with the epicenter only 10 km deep, struck along Myanmar's borders with Thailand and Laos, about 87 km from Thai northern city of Chiang Rai. A 5.4-magnitude aftershock hit the area two hours later.

The quake affected many areas in Myanamr, with it being felt strongly in the border town of Tachilek and slightly in Taunggyi, Bago, Shwegyin, Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay and Toungoo. It is reported that Tachilek authorities have advised people to stay out of their houses.

In Yangon, only people living in high-rise buildings slightly felt the quake, residents said, adding that some people have left their apartment buildings for safety.

The quake also affected a wide swath of land in Thailand, China and Vietnam, with a person killed in quake-caused collapse of a wall in Thai northern city of Chiang Rai.

Thai media also reported that the quake was felt in the country 's capital Bangkok, a city some 772 km away, with buildings there seen shaking and swaying.

According to Vietnam News Agency, buildings in Hanoi shook when the earthquake happened, which caused panic among residents of apartment blocks. The U.S. Geological Survey has put the quake at 6.8 magnitude.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet