Akhir 19, 1432 H/March 24, 2011, SPA -- A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck northern Myanmar late Thursday, with the shocks being felt in Yangon and the new capital of Naypyitaw, but no casualties were reported, dpa quoted sources as saying. The earthquake, which struck at 8:25 pm (1355 GMT), was too deep to have caused a tsunami, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. The epicentre was about 590 kilometres north-east of Yangon. "It was a strong quake," said a resident from the town of Kyaitone, in the eastern state of Shan, told dpa by phone. Kyaitone is very near the epicentre. "I haven't heard any damage or casualties so far." Residents of Naypyitaw, Myanmar's capital since 2005, and in the old capital of Yangon, also felt the quake. "Our family ran down to the street from 16th floor. Our condominium was shaking for ... minutes. Many residents on the street were in shock because the news of Japan's earthquake (is) still new to us," said a housewife who lives in a Yangon luxury apartment. "All of my neighbours rushed onto the streets. Our apartment was shaking for a while. But I haven't heard (of) any damage of the buildings," said a government employee in Yangon. The quake was also felt in northern Thailand, Thai reports said.
