Earthquake in Myanmar: At least three dead, damage to Bagan

The 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck yesterday afternoon 25 kilometers from Chauk. Shock also felt in Thailand, India and Bangladesh. 171 pagodas of the ancient capital damaged.

angon (AsiaNews / Agencies) - A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck the central region of Myanmar yesterday, killing at least three people and damaging dozens of pagodas within the Bagan archaeological site, the largest in the country.

According to the US geological agency, the quake occurred 25 kilometers from the city of Chauk (north-west of Naypyidaw), at a depth of 84 kilometers, and was also felt in Thailand, India and Bangladesh.

Two of the three confirmed victims, a girl of 7 and a girl of 15, were killed in the Magway region. The third victim is a young man of 22.

Soe Win, a politician in Chauk, said: "In the city more than eight pagodas have collapsed. Two other buildings were destroyed and the inhabitants are still very scared".

The Bagan archaeological site is just 30 kilometers from the epicenter, in the Mandalay region. The Minister of Culture and Religious Affairs stated that at least 171 ancient pagodas, stupas and temples have been stilted by the shock. Local authorities are still making site inspections to quantify the damage.

Bagan (former capital of the Burmese kingdoms) contains about 2,500 monuments, many pilgrims and tourists each day ascend the steps of its facilities. The Buddhist temples - ranging from the 10th to the 14th century - are one of the major attractions of Myanmar, an emerging country in tourism.

Myanmar is a country with a medium to high seismic risk. In 2012 an earthquake of magnitude 6.8 struck the center of the country, killing 26 people and wounding hundreds.

• Myanmar earthquake collapse monuments bagan pagodas tourism