A 5.5 magnitude earthquake rattled central Myanmar early Sunday, making frightened residents rush out of their homes in towns near the epicentre. This new quake in the Southeast Asian nation hit just weeks after a powerful 7.7-magnitude temblor on March 28, as one of its strongest aftershocks.
The quake struck near Meiktila, a small city in Mandalay Region, according to the US geological survey. Its epicentre lay roughly between Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, and the capital Naypyitaw—both of which were heavily affected by the quake of March 28.
Two residents of Wundwin township, near the epicentre, told The Associated Press by phone that Sunday’s quake was strong enough to shake buildings and damage ceilings. “People rushed out of buildings,” one said. Another resident described cracked walls and minor debris falling indoors.
However, in Naypyitaw, a resident told AP that he did not feel tremor.
All three people spoke on condition of anonymity, citing fear of angering the military authorities, who have long maintained tight control over information and restrict public criticism—especially during times of crisis.
Sunday’s tremor is one of the strongest aftershocks following the March 28 disaster, which killed at least 3,649 people and injured more than 5,000, according to the military government. That quake also flattened villages, severely damaged hospitals, and disrupted farming and transport across several regions.
The UN last week warned that the devastation is compounding Myanmar’s existing humanitarian crisis, worsened by ongoing conflict and the displacement of over 3 million people.
The earthquake struck as the country marked the beginning of Thingyan, Myanmar’s traditional New Year holiday. Celebrations had already been canceled out of respect for the recent victims.
While officials said there were no immediate reports of new casualties.
