Yangon, Jan 12 (AFP) A strong 6.0-magnitude earthquakehit a remote region of central Myanmar early today, the USGeological Survey said.
The shallow quake struck some 40 kilometres west of thetown of Pyu, the USGS said. It was followed by three weakertremors in the region, all of magnitudes 5.3, the surveyreported.
"There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage,"USGS said, but noted that residential structures in the regionare typically vulnerable to earthquake shaking.
The epicentre was located in a sparsely populated regionbetween the capital Naypyidaw to the north and commercial hubYangon to the south, at least 150 kilometres from each.
Earthquakes are relatively common in Myanmar, where sixstrong quakes of 7.0 magnitude or more struck between 1930 and1956 near the Sagaing Fault, which runs north to south throughthe centre of the country, according to the USGS.
A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake in the ancientcapital Bagan in central Myanmar killed three people in 2016,also toppling spires and crumbling temple walls at the touristdestination.
In November 2012, another powerful 6.8 magnitudeearthquake struck the centre of the country, killing 26 peopleand injuring hundreds.
The impoverished Southeast Asian nation has a strainedmedical system, especially in its rural states.
The breakneck pace of development in Myanmar's cities,combined with crumbling infrastructure and poor urbanplanning, has also made the country's most populous areasvulnerable to earthquakes and other disasters, experts say.
There were no immediate reports of casualties today.
(AFP)CK.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.