ReliefWeb

Strong earthquakes shook northeastern Myanmar, southwestern China and northern Thailand. First on Monday 10 July and than again on Wednesday 12 July.

The earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 on the open-ended Richter scale occurred on Wednesday morning 12 July 4,47 local time or 11 July 21:46 GMT. It had an epicentre of a latitude of 22.04 N, longitude 099.36 E and a depth of 033 km which is situated in Myanmar’s Shan State, 347 km north of the Thai city of Chiang Rai. In China the Yunnan province, Menglian and six other counties near the border with Myanmar were affected. This earthquake followed an earthquake on Monday with a magnitude of 6.6 in the same area.

Damage in Myanmar: there were no immediate reports on injuries or damage since the area is remote and thinly-populated.

Damage in China, Menglian county, 10 km from the border: two women died of heart attacks and 36 were injured, two seriously. 19 buildings collapsed, 70,000 sq. M of schools and 89,000 sq m of factories and other public buildings were damaged, an assessment team of the Yunnan seismology bureau was sent to the site but was delayed by road cuts. The local authorities have already found shelter for the homeless people.

Damage in Thailand, Chiang Rai town: the main generator of the town was knocked out, creating a power blackout. The government of Thailand has ordered to check the dams, reservoirs and bridges for damage. (UN DHA, 12 Jul 1995)