5.7 quake hits Myanmar: USGS

A moderate 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck southern Myanmar today, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

A moderate 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck southern Myanmar today, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

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The quake hit at a shallow depth of 3.5 kilometres, with its epicentre about 65 kilometres southwest of the capital Naypyidaw, at 1516 GMT.

Earthquakes are relatively common in Myanmar. The USGS said six strong earthquakes, of 7.0-magnitude and more, struck between 1930 and 1956 near the Sagaing Fault which runs north to south through the centre of the country.

In November a powerful earthquake left more than 20 people dead and destroyed hundreds of buildings in Myanmar's second-biggest city of Mandalay and surrounding villages.