Two powerful earthquakes struck Myanmar in quick succession on Tuesday night, sending shockwaves across neighboring Bangladesh and India.
However, the "doublet" seismic event, occurring just 17 minutes apart, triggered widespread panic but resulted in no immediate reports of major casualties in the region.
The first earthquake, recorded at a magnitude of 6.0 (USGS reported 5.9), struck at 9:34 PM Bangladesh time. According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the epicenter was located approximately 95 kilometers west of Yenangyaung in the Magway region, at a depth of roughly 63 kilometers.
The second tremor followed shortly after at 9:51 PM with a magnitude of 5.3. Its center was identified in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, about 115 kilometers northeast of the coastal city of Sittwe, at a depth of 50 kilometers.
In Bangladesh, residents in Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, and several coastal districts reported moderate to strong shaking. High-rise buildings in the capital swayed, prompting thousands to rush into the streets for safety. This was the second time the country was jolted on Tuesday, following a 4.1 magnitude tremor centered in Satkhira earlier that morning.
In India, strong tremors were felt across Kolkata and various northeastern states. While the depth of the quakes helped mitigate catastrophic surface damage, local authorities in Myanmar’s Rakhine and Magway regions have begun assessing older structures and mud houses for potential cracks or collapses.
Seismologists are closely monitoring the region, as Myanmar sits on a highly active tectonic boundary where the Indian and Eurasian plates meet. Authorities in Sittwe and Magway have advised citizens to remain vigilant for potential aftershocks.
While the tremors caused significant alarm, regional disaster management teams in Bangladesh and India have confirmed that no major infrastructure damage has been reported as of Tuesday night.
