7.7 quake hits Myanmar; Filipinos safe, search and rescue ongoing

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck central Myanmar near Monywa on Friday, March 28, affecting neighboring Thailand; the Philippine Embassy reported no immediate harm to about 811 Filipino nationals in Yangon and confirmed Filipinos were unharmed in Bangkok.

As of Sunday, at least 1,644 people are dead, 2,376 injured, and 3,408 missing due to the earthquake; four out of 128 registered Filipinos remain unaccounted for while the condition of three others who were injured is still being verified.

The Philippine Ambassador to Thailand assured that Filipino nationals in Bangkok are safe with no adverse effects reported, while search and rescue operations continue at the collapsed Sky Villa condominium where some Filipinos reportedly reside.

Both Philippine Embassies are closely monitoring developments and have advised Filipino nationals in both countries to remain calm and vigilant while monitoring updates from credible sources; the Embassy in Thailand has also labeled as false news reports stating that '10 Filipinos perished' in the earthquake.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa instructed three Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Teams (PEMATs) to be ready for deployment once international coordination protocols with Myanmar and Thailand have been completed.