A powerful earthquake in Myanmar has caused massive destruction. The death toll due to this has risen to 1,644. About 3,408 people are injured and 139 are still reported missing. News agency AFP gave this information on Saturday, citing the country's military regime. The death toll is still expected to rise as the debris removal work is ongoing. The epicenter of the powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck on Friday was not far from Mandalay, Myanmar's second largest city. The earthquake caused buildings to collapse in many areas and caused extensive damage. After this, several tremors were felt, one of which had a magnitude of 6.4. Buildings collapsed in many areas due to the earthquake. Roads were damaged. Bridges collapsed and a dam broke. Workers were working to repair damaged roads in the capital Naypyitaw on Saturday. Electricity, phone and internet services remained shut in most parts of the city.

Satellite images showed that the earthquake caused the air traffic control tower at Naypyitaw International Airport to collapse. Pictures taken on Saturday show the tower fallen as if it had been uprooted from its base. Debris is scattered on top of the tower. All air traffic in the Myanmar capital was controlled from this tower. It is not yet clear whether there have been any casualties due to the collapse of the tower, but it is believed that when the earthquake struck on Friday, employees must have been present inside the tower at that time. The collapse of the tower would also have halted air operations at the international airport. The plane carrying rescue teams from China landed at Yangon Airport instead of going directly to the airports of the major affected cities Mandalay and Naypyitaw.

How much devastation did the earthquake cause in Thailand

Earthquake tremors were also felt in Myanmar's neighboring country Thailand and it shook other areas of the country including the capital Bangkok. Bangkok city officials said that so far 6 people have been found dead due to the earthquake. 26 people are injured and 47 are still missing. There is widespread devastation at a construction site near the capital's popular Chatuchak market. More heavy equipment was brought in on Saturday to clear away tons of rubble following the quake. Hopes are fading among friends and family members of the missing that they will be found alive.