An intense emergency is unfolding in Asia after a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck early Monday morning. The quake affected vast regions across Myanmar, southern China, and northern Thailand.

The tremor occurred at 3:42 a.m. local time, with its epicenter in a mountainous area along the border between Myanmar and Yunnan Province, China. It struck at a shallow depth of about 10 kilometers, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Preliminary reports indicate dozens of people have died, hundreds are injured, and many remain trapped beneath collapsed buildings and rubble. Rescue teams are racing against time to reach survivors.

The quake was strongly felt in major cities including Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. Authorities there ordered mass evacuations as a precaution to protect residents from aftershocks and potential structural damage.

Emergency services across the affected regions have mobilized swiftly to provide medical aid and shelter to displaced people. Hospitals are overwhelmed but working tirelessly to treat the injured.

Communication lines have been disrupted in some areas, complicating rescue efforts. Power outages and damaged infrastructure are also hampering response teams.

Officials continue to assess the full scale of the disaster as aftershocks persist. Governments in Myanmar, China, and Thailand have expressed solidarity and pledged support for relief operations.

This earthquake serves as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters and the urgent need for preparedness and cooperation in crisis situations.