A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck Mandalay on the evening of May 17, resulting in building damage and fatalities, as confirmed by local volunteer firefighters. The earthquake occurred at 10:25 PM with its epicenter near Myit Tha town. During the earthquake, heavy rain was falling, and these conditions led to the collapse of a large Kokko tree in Maharaungmye Township, which fell on and killed a father and son.
The earthquake caused various structural damages throughout the city, including cracks in buildings, wall collapses, and falling bricks. Notably, a building previously designated as dangerous on 87th Street, between 23rd Street C and B, experienced separation of its main pillars, while other locations reported wall cracks. The East Marlar Volunteer Fire Brigade documented these incidents. The combination of the earthquake and heavy rainfall created particularly hazardous conditions throughout the affected areas.
Following the major 7.7 magnitude earthquake that occurred on March 28 this year, the region has experienced over one hundred aftershocks and minor earthquakes over the past two months, according to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology. This continuous seismic activity has caused significant concern among local residents, particularly those living in buildings already identified as structurally vulnerable. The situation remains especially concerning for residents in buildings previously marked as dangerous, as the ongoing seismic activity poses potential risks to these structures.
