The 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar today has killed three people and damaged several pagodas and stupas in the ancient city of Bagan, officials have confirmed.
A police officer who declined to be named told Coconuts Yangon the station was compiling a list of affected sites.
“We’re still finding out what’s happening here and making a list,” said the officer from Nyaung-U, the main town near the popular tourist site.
Myanmar’s Fire Services Department says at least one person has died and another has been injured in the town of Pakokku in Magwe Region. Two others were reportedly killed when a riverbank collapsed on them.
The Ministry for Information has posted several photos of the damage to Bagan on its main Facebook page, including one that shows a cloud of dust from collapsing stones surrounding a pagoda.
The English translation reads: Htee lo Min Lo pagoda has collapsed, entrance of Dhammayangyi Pagoda has collapsed, and there ise a little damage on Ngar Myet Hnar Pagoda, pagoda no. 1616. Khay Main Da pagoda has collapsed. The diamond on the top of Mya Sayti Pagoda was fallen onto the ground and walls of Arnanda pagoda were destroyed and other pagodas were destroyed.”
The BBC Myanmar correspondent said on Twitter, quoting the archaeology department in Bagan, that at least 50 sites have been confirmed damaged.
The earthquake hit in northwest Myanmar a few dozen kilometres west of Chauk at around 5:05pm local time.
This is a breaking story and will be updated as details emerge.
