A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, sending tremors across borders into Thailand and southwest China, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The epicenter was located approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) northwest of Sagaing, at a depth of 10 kilometers, the USGS reported.

The quake was felt across large parts of the region, including Yunnan Province in China and Bangkok, Thailand, where videos on social media showed buildings swaying and minor structural damage. Engineers are concerned that Bangkok’s infrastructure, much of which lacks earthquake-resistant design, may be at risk if aftershocks continue.

In Myanmar’s capital Naypyidaw, reports indicate cracked roads and buckled pavement in several areas, though the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. Emergency services are currently mobilizing in affected regions.

While such strong quakes are relatively rare in Thailand, Myanmar sits along the Sagaing Fault, one of Southeast Asia’s most active tectonic boundaries. According to USGS historical data cited by AFP, six earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or higher struck near the Sagaing Fault between 1930 and 1956.

Myanmar’s central region, including Sagaing, is particularly vulnerable to seismic activity, and experts have long warned of the potential for a major quake in the area.

Thailand, especially Bangkok, is considered seismically vulnerable despite not sitting directly atop an active fault line. Tremors from nearby quakes—particularly from Myanmar and northern Laos—can travel long distances and pose risks to buildings not built to seismic codes.

Engineers and emergency officials in Bangkok have called for inspections of high-rise structures, especially in light of increasing regional seismic activity.

Authorities across the region are monitoring for aftershocks and further damage reports as recovery efforts begin.