Myanmar and Thailand earthquake live: More than 140 dead in Myanmar as 117 trapped under Bangkok skyscraper

At least nine people have died in Bangkok as a result of Friday’s earthquake, a Thai official has told Reuters.

The death toll us steadily rising in Thailand as well as in neighbouring Myanmar, where the quake was centred.

Of the confirmed casualties in the Thai capital, eight died when a building under construction collapsed, while the ninth person died in a different location, said Bangkok’s Deputy Governor Tavida Kamolvej.

There could be thousands of deaths and severe economic damage following the massive earthquake in Myanmar, a US government predictive analysis has found.

The conclusions were based on the strength and depth of Friday’s earthquake, with the Sagaing and Meiktila regions worst hit.

“Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist,” the analysis said.

“High casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread,” it said.

Myanmar’s ruling military general called for “any country” to provide help and donations to the country, following the devastating earthquake which killed at least 144 people.

There will be more deaths and casualties, Min Aung Hlaing said on state television.

Routes have been opened for international assistance and offers of help from India and southeast Asian bloc ASEAN have been accepted, Mr Hlaing said.

At least 144 people in Myanmar have been killed in Myanmar following the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake earlier on Friday, state-run TV has reported.

Another 732 have been injured, MRTV announced on Telegram.

Casualty figures have been slow to emerge in Myanmar and Thailand as rescuers scramble to find survivors under the rubble of buildings destroyed by the quake.

The number of people missing following the collapse of a high-rise building in Bangkok has been revised to 117, Thai rescuers said on Friday.

Eight people are confirmed dead in the collapse, rescuers said, an increase on the three earlier reported.

Pope Francis, who is recovering after a five-week hospitalization for life-threatening double pneumonia, offered prayers to the victims of the earthquake.

“The pope has been informed of the disaster in Myanmar and is praying for the dramatic situation and for the many victims, also in Thailand,” the Vatican said in a statement.

Save the Children has said young people facing the loss and trauma of losing loved ones must be “kept safe from harm” by any earthquake response.

Jeremy Stoner, Acting Asia Regional Director at Save the Children, said in a statement that, while the charity is still assessing the situation, children must be prioritised in emergency efforts. He said: “While the extent of the earthquake damage is still unclear, we know children are the most vulnerable following disaster.

“Our teams are moving quickly to check all our staff are safe, and to respond to the emergency, but it’s crucial that the international community acts now to provide support to the thousands of people in need. It will be essential that children are prioritised in any response, as they may be experiencing a natural disaster for the first time, facing trauma from loss or separation from their parents and families.

“From our experience in emergencies, we know they will need immediate shelter and should be kept safe from harm.”

Patients are evacuated onto a road outside a hospital after shockwaves from the 7.7 magnitude earthquake spread to Bangkok.

“All of a sudden the whole building began to move. Immediately there was screaming and a lot of panic,” said Fraser Morton, a tourist from Scotland, who was in one of Bangkok’s many malls.

“I just started walking calmly at first but then the building started really moving, yeah, a lot of screaming, a lot of panic, people running the wrong way down the escalators.”

Like Morton, thousands of people poured into Benjasiri Park from nearby shopping malls, high rises and apartment buildings along Bangkok’s busy Sukhumvit Road.

Many were on phones trying to reach loved ones as others sought shade from the hot early afternoon sun.